Easter Vigil - St. Matthew's Episcopal Church

(Editor's Note: This is taken directly from a church newsletter.)

From the emotional depths of Good Friday and Holy Week, the Great Vigil of Easter begins the path upward from depth of the valley.

The service begins with the lighting of the new fire on the stone altar outside the church. The Pascal Candle is lit from this new flame and all the Congregation light their candles, spreading the Light of Christ as they enter the church. The Pascal candle processes from the back of the church to the lectern as we chant 'The Light of Christ', 'Thanks be to God'. The Exsultet is chanted, proclaiming God's faithfulness.

The church is in darkness except for the candle light and the organ which has been silent since Good Friday remains silent. The service follows with several reading.  The account of the Israelites' crossing of the Red Sea is given particular attention as the center of the Jewish Passover.

For Christians this symbolizes the fulfillment of God's promise through Christ's death and resurrection. Each reading is followed by a psalm and a prayer relating what has been read in the Old Testament to the Mystery of Christ. After each of the readings, the symbols and signs of Jesus begin reappearing on the altar. There is anticipation in the air.

At this point, all the lights in the church are raised, the black cloth drapes are removed from the crosses and the Celebrant in a loud voice declares 'Alleluia. Christ is risen.'  This is the first time Alleluia has been spoken since Ash Wednesday. It is traditional at this point in the service for bells to be rung as the Gloria is sung and we rejoice the resurrection of our Savior.
 
We request that all who participate in this service bring bells of any size, from the size of sleigh bells to dinner bells, so that you may celebrate the resurrection of our Lord with the ringing of bells.