The Easter Vigil and Blessing

of the Easter Vigil TableAcross the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas

Easter Eve 2020

From Bishop Cathleen Bascom

This Holy Week and Easter, on one hand, is very different from any in most of our lifetimes. It is a time of voluntary isolation due to the spread of a grave illness. We are asked not to gather in our churches full of incense and Easter lilies and resonant hymns of Resurrection.

And yet, on the other hand, at its core this Easter is the same. The experience of Jesus’ early followers — that he suffered and died and then rose and came among them — gave birth to Christianity. That Jesus is Risen and still comes among us, in whatever circumstances we endure, is our most sacred belief and experi-ence still! Theologians call it the Paschal Mystery.

The Great Vigil of Easter is an ancient celebration, dating to at least 215 A.D., and we are adapting it here, for each of us to use on our own or with our loved ones, knowing that thousands of us across eastern Kansas are united in this celebration of Jesus’ Resurrection.

This service is designed to be used in two different ways.

If you have a computer connected to the Internet, or a tablet or cell phone, you can begin this service with the lighting of the Paschal Light and end it with the Blessing of the Easter Vigil Table. In between you can follow along with a recorded version featuring people from across the diocese, using a link posted on the diocesan website, www.episcopal-ks.org.

But you also can use this printed version by itself, knowing that you are celebrating with others. If more than one person is assembled, one serves as the prayer leader, and others do the readings. The bishop’s ser-mon begins on page 8 and may be read in the middle of the service or at a later time.

Things to prepare ahead of time:

1. A Paschal Light. This may be a candle and a match, or a lamp, or even the flashlight of a cell phone.2. Food for the Vigil Table. This can be food and beverages you plan to eat at the conclusion of the

service or elements of an Easter meal you will eat on Sunday.

Near the end of the service, please move your Paschal Light near to the foods you have set out as your Easter Vigil Table, as we say prayers to ask God’s blessing upon the food we will eat.

And be assured that in spite of our physical distance from one another, we remain bound together as the Body of the Risen Christ. Happy Easter!

Cover photo: S. Hermann & F. Richter from Pixabay

to all the people of the Diocese of Kansas

The Lighting of the Paschal Light

Throughout this service, the parts to be read in unison are marked in bold italics.

At 7:30 p.m. on Holy Saturday across the Diocese of Kansas, we unite for worship from our safe locations. If this hour is not possible, the service can be used at any time between twilight of Holy Saturday through Easter Day.

Believers and loved ones gather in the darkness.

Prayer Leader Dear friends in Christ: On this most holy night, in which our Lord Jesus passed over from death to life, the Church invites her members, dispersed throughout the world, to gather in vigil and prayer. For this is the Passover of the Lord, in which, by hearing his Word and celebrating his Sacraments, we share in his victory over death.

Amados en Cristo: En esta noche santísima, cuando nuestro Señor Jesucristo pasó de muerte a vida, la Iglesia invita a sus miembros, esparcidos por todo el mundo, reunirse en vigilia y oración. Pues ésta es la Pascua del Señor, en la cual, escuchando su Palabra y celebrando sus Sacramentos, compartimos su victoria sobre la muerte.

The Paschal Light is lighted or turned on.

Leader The Light of Christ.People Thanks be to God.

Líder La luz de Cristo.Pueblo Demos gracias a Dios.

The Leader says, or for those watching online the Archdeacon sings, the Exsultet:

Rejoice now, heavenly hosts and choirs of angels, and let your trumpets shout Salvation for the victory of our mighty King. Rejoice and sing now, all the round earth, bright with a glorious splendor, for darkness has been vanquished by our eternal King. Rejoice and be glad now, Mother Church, and let your holy courts, in radiant light, resound with the praises of your people. All you who stand near this marvelous and holy flame, pray with me to God the Almighty for the grace to sing the worthy praise of this great light; through Jesus Christ his Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. People Amen.

It is truly right and good, always and everywhere, with our whole heart and mind and voice, to praise you, the invisible, almighty, and eternal God, and your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Lord; for he is the true Paschal Lamb, who at the feast of the Passover paid for us the debt of Adam’s sin, and by his blood delivered your faithful people. This is the night, when you brought our fathers, the children of Israel, out of bondage in Egypt, and led them through the Red Sea on dry land. This is the night, when all who believe in Christ are delivered from the gloom of sin, and are restored to grace and holiness of life. This is the night, when Christ broke the bonds of death and hell, and rose victorious from the grave. How wonderful and beyond our knowing, O God, is your mercy and loving-kindness to us, that to redeem a slave, you gave a Son.

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How holy is this night, when wickedness is put to flight, and sin is washed away. It restores innocence to the fallen, and joy to those who mourn. It casts out pride and hatred, and brings peace and concord. How blessed is this night, when earth and heaven are joined and man is reconciled to God. Holy Father, accept our evening sacrifice, the offering of this candle in your honor. May it shine continually to drive away all darkness. May Christ, the Morning Star who knows no setting, find it ever burning — he who gives his light to all creation, and who lives and reigns for ever and ever. People Amen.

God’s Salvation History

The Paschal Light is moved near to those gathered for the following reading of scripture.

Leader Let us hear the record of God’s saving deeds in history, how he saved his people in ages past; and let us pray that our God will bring each of us to the fullness of redemption.

Líder Oigamos la relación de las obras salvadoras de Dios a través de la historia, cómo salvó a su pueblo en siglos pasados; y oremos para que nuestro Dios nos traiga a cado uno a la plenitud de la redención.

Reader The story of the creation of light

In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. (Genesis 1:1-5)

En el principio creó Dios los cielos y la tierra. Y la tierra estaba sin orden y vacía, y las tinieblas cubrían la superficie del abismo, y el Espíritu de Dios se movía sobre la superficie de las aguas. Y dijo Dios: Sea la luz. Y hubo luz. Y vio Dios que la luz era buena; y separó Dios la luz de las tinieblas. Y llamó Dios a la luz día, y a las tinieblas llamó noche. Y fue la tarde y fue la mañana: un día. (Génesis 1:1-5)

All Let your loving-kindness, O Lord, be upon us, as we have put our trust in you. (Psalm 33:22)

Leader O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of and All 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.

Reader The story of the flood

Then the Lord said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and all your household, for I have seen that you alone are righteous before me in this generation. Take with you seven pairs of all clean animals, the male and its mate; and a pair of the animals that are not clean, the male and its mate; and seven pairs of the birds of the air also, male and female, to keep their kind alive on the face of all the earth. For in seven days I will send rain

on the earth for forty days and forty nights; and every living thing that I have made I will blot out from the face of the ground.” And Noah did all that the Lord had commanded him…on that day all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the windows of the heavens were opened. The rain fell on the earth for forty days and forty nights… At the end of forty days Noah opened the window of the ark that he had made and sent out the raven; and it went to and fro until the waters were dried up from the earth. Then he sent out the dove from him, to see if the waters had subsided from the face of the ground; but the dove found no place to set its foot, and it returned to him to the ark, for the waters were still on the face of the whole earth. So he put out his hand and took it and brought it into the ark with him. He waited another seven days, and again he sent out the dove from the ark; and the dove came back to him in the evening, and there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf; so Noah knew that the waters had subsided from the earth.

(sections of Genesis 7:1-8:18)

All God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46)

Leader Almighty God, you have placed in the skies the sign of your covenant with all living and All things: Grant that we, who are saved through water and the Spirit, may worthily offer to you our sacrifice of thanksgiving; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Reader The story of Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac

After these things God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I shall show you.” So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac; he cut the wood for the burnt offering, and set out and went to the place in the distance that God had shown him. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place far away. Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the boy and I will go over there; we will worship, and then we will come back to you.” Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. So the two of them walked on together. Isaac said to his father Abraham, “Father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham said, “God himself will provide the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So the two of them walked on together. When they came to the place that God had shown him, Abraham built an altar there and laid the wood in order. He bound his son Isaac, and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to kill his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven, and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” And Abraham looked up and saw a ram, caught in a thicket by its horns. Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.” The angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven, and said, “By myself I have sworn, says the Lord: Because you have done this, and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will indeed bless you, and I will make your offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of their enemies, and by your offspring shall all the nations of the earth gain blessing for themselves, because you have obeyed my voice.” (Genesis 22:1-18)

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Aconteció que después de estas cosas, Dios probó a Abraham, y le dijo: ¡Abraham! Y él respondió: Heme aquí. Y Dios dijo: Toma ahora a tu hijo, tu único, a quien amas, a Isaac, y ve a la tierra de Moriah, y ofrécelo allí en holocausto sobre uno de los montes que yo te diré. Abraham se levantó muy de mañana, aparejó su asno y tomó con él a dos de sus mozos y a su hijo Isaac; y partió leña para el holocausto, y se levantó y fue al lugar que Dios le había dicho. Al tercer día alzó Abraham los ojos y vio el lugar de lejos. Entonces Abraham dijo a sus mozos: Quedaos aquí con el asno; yo y el muchacho iremos hasta allá, adoraremos y volveremos a vosotros. Tomó Abraham la leña del holocausto y la puso sobre Isaac su hijo, y tomó en su mano el fuego y el cuchillo. Y los dos iban juntos. Y habló Isaac a su padre Abraham, y le dijo: Padre mío. Y él respondió: Heme aquí, hijo mío. Y dijo Isaac: Aquí están el fuego y la leña, pero ¿dónde está el cordero para el holocausto? Y Abraham respondió: Dios proveerá para sí el cordero para el holocausto, hijo mío. Y los dos iban juntos. Llegaron al lugar que Dios le había dicho y Abraham edificó allí el altar, arregló la leña, ató a su hijo Isaac y lo puso en el altar sobre la leña. Entonces Abraham extendió su mano y tomó el cuchillo para sacrificar a su hijo. Mas el ángel del Señor lo llamó desde el cielo y dijo: ¡Abraham, Abraham! Y él respondió: Heme aquí. Y el ángel dijo: No extiendas tu mano contra el muchacho, ni le hagas nada; porque ahora sé que temes a Dios, ya que no me has rehusado tu hijo, tu único. Entonces Abraham alzó los ojos y miró, y he aquí, vio un carnero detrás de él trabado por los cuernos en un matorral; y Abraham fue, tomó el carnero y lo ofreció en holocausto en lugar de su hijo. Y llamó Abraham aquel lugar con el nombre de El Señor Proveerá, como se dice hasta hoy: En el monte del Señor se proveerá. El ángel del Señor llamó a Abraham por segunda vez desde el cielo, y dijo: Por mí mismo he jurado, declara el Señor, que por cuanto has hecho esto y no me has rehusado tu hijo, tu único, de cierto te bendeciré grandemente, y multiplicaré en gran manera tu descendencia como las estrellas del cielo y como la arena en la orilla del mar, y tu descendencia poseerá la puerta de sus enemigos. Y en tu simiente serán bendecidas todas las naciones de la tierra, porque tú has obedecido mi voz. (Génesis 22:1-18)

All You will show me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy, and in your right hand are pleasures for evermore. (Psalm 16:11)

Leader God and Father of all believers, for the glory of your Name multiply, by the grace of the and All Paschal sacrament, the number of your children; that your Church may rejoice to see fulfilled your promise to our father Abraham; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Reader The story of Israel at the Red Sea

As Pharaoh drew near, the Israelites looked back, and there were the Egyptians advancing on them. In great fear the Israelites cried out to the Lord. They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us, bringing us out of Egypt? Is this not the very thing we told you in Egypt, ‘Let us alone and let us serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” But Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid, stand firm, and see the deliverance that the Lord will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you see today you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to keep still.” Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry out to me? Tell the Israelites to go forward. But you lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the Israelites may go into the sea on dry ground. Then I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them; and so I will gain glory for myself over Pharaoh and all his army, his chariots, and his chariot drivers. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gained glory for myself over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his chariot drivers.” The angel of God who was going before the Israelite army moved and went behind

them; and the pillar of cloud moved from in front of them and took its place behind them. It came between the army of Egypt and the army of Israel. And so the cloud was there with the darkness, and it lit up the night; one did not come near the other all night. Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. The Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night, and turned the sea into dry land; and the waters were divided. The Israelites went into the sea on dry ground, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left. The Egyptians pursued, and went into the sea after them, all of Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and chariot drivers. At the morning watch the Lord in the pillar of fire and cloud looked down upon the Egyptian army, and threw the Egyptian army into panic. He clogged their chariot wheels so that they turned with difficulty. The Egyptians said, “Let us flee from the Israelites, for the Lord is fighting for them against Egypt.” (Exodus 14:10-25) All I will sing to the Lord, for God is lofty and uplifted; the horse and its rider has God

hurled into the sea. (Canticle 8) Leader O God, whose wonderful deeds of old shine forth even to our own day, you once delivered and All by the power of your mighty arm your chosen people from slavery under Pharaoh, to be a sign for us of the salvation of 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.

Reader The story of a renewed Israel On that day the branch of the Lord shall be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land shall be the pride and glory of the survivors of Israel. Whoever is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy, everyone who has been recorded for life in Jerusalem, once the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion and cleansed the bloodstains of Jerusalem from its midst by a spirit of judgement and by a spirit of burning. Then the Lord will create over the whole site of Mount Zion and over its places of assembly a cloud by day and smoke and the shining of a flaming fire by night. Indeed, over all the glory there will be a canopy. It will serve as a pavilion, a shade by day from the heat, and a refuge and a shelter from the storm and rain. (Isaiah 4:2-6)

All I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” (Psalm 122)

Leader O God, you led your ancient people by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by and All 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.

Reader The story that salvation is offered freely to all

Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David. (Isaiah 55:1-3)

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All Therefore you shall draw water with rejoicing from the springs of salvation. (Canticle 9) Leader O God, you have created all things by the power of your Word, and you renew the and All earth by your Spirit: Give now the water of life to those who thirst for you, that they may bring forth abundant fruit in your glorious kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Reader The story of a new heart and a new spirit

I will take you from the nations, and gather you from all the countries, and bring you into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my spirit within you, and make you follow my statutes and be careful to observe my ordinances. Then you shall live in the land that I gave to your ancestors; and you shall be my people, and I will be your God. (Ezekiel 36:24-28)

Porque os tomaré de las naciones, os recogeré de todas las tierras y os llevaré a vuestra propia tierra. Entonces os rociaré con agua limpia y quedaréis limpios; de todas vuestras inmundicias y de todos vuestros ídolos os limpiaré. Además, os daré un corazón nuevo y pondré un espíritu nuevo dentro de vosotros; quitaré de vuestra carne el corazón de piedra y os daré un corazón de carne. Pondré dentro de vosotros mi espíritu y haré que andéis en mis estatutos, y que cumpláis cuidadosamente mis ordenanzas. Habitaréis en la tierra que di a vuestros padres; y seréis mi pueblo y yo seré vuestro Dios. (Ezequiel 36:24-28)

All As the deer longs for the waterbrooks, so longs my soul for you, O God. (Psalm 42:1)

Leader Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant and All of reconciliation: Grant that all who are reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Reader The story of the valley of dry bones

The hand of the Lord came upon me, and he brought me out by the spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me all round them; there were very many lying in the valley, and they were very dry. He said to me, “Mortal, can these bones live?” I answered, “O Lord God, you know.” Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them: O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. I will lay sinews on you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am the Lord.” (Ezekiel 37:1-6) All You have turned my wailing into dancing; you have put off my sack-cloth and clothed me

with joy. (Psalm 30)

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Leader Almighty God, by the Passover of your Son you have brought us out of sin into and All 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. Reader The story of the gathering of God’s people

The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing as on a day of festival. I will remove disaster from you, so that you will not bear reproach for it. I will deal with all your oppressors at that time. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. At that time I will bring you home, at the time when I gather you; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes, says the Lord.

(Zephaniah 3:17-20) All Sing to the Lord a new song, for God has done marvelous things. (Psalm 98:1) Leader O God of unchangeable power and eternal light: Look favorably on your whole Church, and All 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.

Reader The story of Paul proclaiming the Resurrection

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For whoever has died is freed from sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. (Romans 6:3-11)

All together say, or for those watching online the Cantor sings, the Gloria:

All Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

(Gloria in excelsis)

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Leader O God, who made this most holy night to shine with the glory of the Lord’s resurrection: and All 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.

Reader The story of the Resurrection

After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

(Matthew 28:1-10)

The Bishop’s Easter Sermon

To be read at this point or at a later time.

As we together light candles across eastern Kansas, cut off physically, we are united in faith and love. We are forced to understand what the death and resurrection of Jesus means in a time of extreme isolation.

Stories of past isolationWe all have stories, past and present, of isolation. My early childhood was very full. I am the youngest

of four daughters, and our parents and grandparents were close, and extended family visited with some regularity. I experienced life as the youngest of a large (slightly Irish) clan.

But through normal circumstances of my mother going back to work, sisters moving away, and grandparents failing, by adolescence I found myself more and more alone. The clan had shrunk. Instead of amusing mascot, I was more an only child.

When I remember my personal years of isolation, I am aware of both positive and difficult realities. On one hand, my love of music and of literature blossomed. I spent hours tucked in an alcove in my bedroom with my head in foamy 1970s earphones and an array of vinyl albums at my fingertips. I read voraciously, and began to vent my emotional, existential interiority with a pen.

But I did at times fall into depression and also developed eating and running disorders. In many ways, my few years of isolation resonate well with the opening braided classic film scenes from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, the romping tale of a high school senior skipping school. A lot of the time, like Ferris, I was really quite happy, in a comfortable home with loving parents and a wealth of techno devices to amuse me. Though on other days, I was more like his friend Cameron, not wanting to get out of bed. Truth be told, my adolescent years of isolation, as painful as they seem sometimes, were the isolation of privilege. As Ferris says to Cameron on the telephone, “Cameron, you are not dying. You’re just bored. So get dressed and come on over here.” Ferris and Cameron were in isolation by choice.

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My grandparents, on the other hand, shared some stories of isolation that were more devastating.One of my grandmothers was born to Dutch immigrants who came to Kansas to try to cure her father’s

tuberculosis. She and the other children spent their whole lives talking to him across a line in the home. In quarantine, he never got to hold or hug his children. This same grandmother and my grandfather also experienced the isolation of the Dust Bowl, isolated from rain and the possibility of growing crops for nine years. Their lifeline of connection with the green East were chicks that would arrive from Iowa in the mail. The eggs and chickens kept them alive, as well as the lambs quarters plants that survived under walnut trees. This was not isolation by choice.

As you are sheltered in this public time of social isolation, what stories do you bring? What stories of your families?

Current joys and strugglesIn this time in which we listen to our civic leaders and health professionals and sequester ourselves for

the sake of the common good and the containment of the coronavirus, we may have a broad range of experiences. As I have had Zoom video check-ins with our parish clergy, some actually find themselves sleeping a lot. This could be stress, or simply a well-needed, well-deserved rest! But, others, or members of their families, find they cannot sleep. Some of us may find ourselves happily and unexpectedly together with more of our family (and beloved pets) than usual. Others may be very alone, or dislocated from dear ones and worried about their safety.

Some of us have steady income, while some of us may already face loss of employment and real economic hardship. Watching the stock market is enough to give any of us, even without investments, heart palpitations. Most of us probably know the isolation of privilege, but some of us may face very deep problems with our health, our loved ones or our finances. Some of us may be isolated with others who are addicted, have mental health issues or are even violent. Experts have shared the “Emotional Life Cycle of a Disaster” and say we should be prepared to experience these things: fear and panic, heroism, a honeymoon period, disillusionment, much grief, and reconstruction, a new beginning.

As the Body of Christ on earth we are trying to find the sweet spot of keeping ourselves safe and yet helping those among us who are facing the worst aspects of this disease and isolation. Across many years, the churches of the Diocese of Kansas have poured themselves out in feeding ministries across this state. Since COVID-19 emerged, we have adopted a “Feeding without Gathering” policy to keep caring for those who are hungry while honoring our own health and safety. Our parishes are reaching out in a myriad of ways — phone trees and connecting teams and virtual prayer services — sharing God’s love with those who may be physically well-fed but are emotionally or spiritually suffering. We pray every day for our health professionals who are on the front lines.

Our sacred stories about isolation; God’s love shatters, permeates and fills our isolationBUT… our human stories of isolation are not the last nor only word. Our holy scriptures have a most

pertinent message for our time.The Great Vigil of Easter, and the Bible itself, begins by describing primordial isolation. The biblical

translators and scholars variously describe the state of things as a “void” or as “chaos.” Eugene Peterson’s transliteration The Message puts it this way: “Earth was a soup of nothingness, a bottomless emptiness, and inky blackness.”

BUT… already in the first five verses of Genesis we are told that out of love “God spoke: ‘Light!’ And light appeared.” And the light cut through and permeated the primordial void and chaos, transforming the isolation so that life began to appear. For such is God’s love!

 • 9 •

 • 10 •

In Matthew’s gospel version of the crucifixion, Jesus on the cross expresses the deepest sense of human alienation as he cries out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” And then Jesus experiences death itself and the isolation of the grave.

BUT…Matthew goes on to describe how Jesus’s women followers went to the place of Jesus’s burial and experienced a most incredible thing. All of the other gospels say the women found the tomb already open, but Matthew claims that the women actually experienced an angel (messenger of God) rolling back the stone. God’s love was shattering and permeating the isolation of death and the grave, bringing new life from death forever. For such is God’s love!

The sacred Paschal Mystery that we celebrate with our candles or lamps lit tonight, is that the Creator of everything has at the very core LOVE that shatters isolation. Our God loves in such a way that God can permeate any isolation of poverty, or illness, or even violence, and be present with us even in suffering.

This really is the whole point of Jesus’s teaching and life and death and rising. Resurrection is God’s comment on Good Friday; Jesus’s cry of dereliction from the cross is answered on Easter Day. We are never truly alone because a loving Creator is with us.

So, how does this change how we live, what we do in the midst and wake of this coronavirus? Prayer is something that we have with us in every situation and which no one and nothing can strip from us. We can always reach out to and be companioned by God through the presence of the Risen Jesus.

We can spend more times outdoors with the plants and the creatures that God has given us as companions. We can continue to care and love and feed without gathering. We can worship in ways post-modern and ancient; we can creatively engage all the new technology that links us now, as well as old ones like the telephone and letter writing, which we have nearly forgotten. And should any of us or our loved ones face grave illness and death, we know that the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is just a foretaste, a window, into the truth we all share, that in death life is not ended but only changed.

Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!Amen.

Leader At Easter, we reaffirm our baptism and our faith.

Leader I reaffirm my renunciation of evil and renew my commitment to Jesus Christ.

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit

and born of the Virgin Mary.He suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and was buried.He descended to the dead.On the third day he rose again.He ascended into heaven,

and is seated at the right hand of the Father.He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

and All

 • 11 •

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.

I will continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers.

I will persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever I fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord.

I will proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ.

I will seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving my neighbor as myself.

I will strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being.

Leader May Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given us a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and bestowed upon us the forgiveness of sins, keep us in eternal life by his grace, in Jesus Christ our Lord.

People Amen.

Leader Alleluia. Christ is risen.People The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.

Leader Alleluia. Christ is risen.People The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.

Leader Alleluia. Christ is risen.People The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.

Worshipers now move to where the foods of the Easter Vigil Table are laid out. These can be food and beverages you plan to eat this evening or elements of an Easter meal to be eaten on Sunday. The Paschal Light either lights other candles there or is placed near the food.

The Easter Vigil Table

The Leader may now pray any of the following prayers over the food set out as the Easter Vigil Table. We eat knowing that the Risen One is with us!

A Prayer over WineLeader Blessed are you, O Lord our God, creator of the fruit of the vine: Grant that we who share

this wine, which gladdens our hearts, may share for ever the new life of the true Vine, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

All Amen.

 • 12 •

A Prayer over BreadLeader Blessed are you, O Lord our God; you bring forth bread from the earth and make the risen

Lord to be for us the Bread of life: Grant that we who daily seek the bread which sustains our bodies may also hunger for the food of everlasting life, Jesus Christ our Lord.

All Amen.

A Prayer over EggsLeader O Lord our God, in celebration of the Paschal feast we have prepared these eggs from your

creation: Grant that they may be to us a sign of the new life and immortality promised to those who follow your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

All Amen.

A Prayer over Other FoodsLeader Blessed are you, O Lord our God; you have given us the risen Savior to be the Shepherd

of your people: Lead us, by him, to springs of living waters, and feed us with the food that endures to eternal life; where with you, O Father, and with the Holy Spirit, he lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever.

All Amen.

All are invited to say or sing this hymn; online is a version with congregation, organ and brass (recorded in 2016).

Jesus Christ is risen today, alleluia,our triumphant holy day, alleluia,

who did once upon the cross, alleluia,suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!

Hymns of praise then let us sing, alleluia,unto Christ, our heavenly King, alleluia,

who endured the cross and grave, alleluia,sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!

But the pains which he endured, alleluia,

our salvation have procured; alleluia,now above the sky he’s King, alleluia,where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!

Sing we to our God above, alleluia,praise eternal as his love; alleluia,

praise him, all ye heavenly host, alleluia,Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!

Words: Latin, 14th cent.; tr. Lyra Davidica, 1708; alt. Stanza 4, Charles Wesley (1707-1788)

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