You are already well into your plans for worship in this season of Lent. And you are probably working on meaningful services for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter sunrise and Easter morning. But have you considered offering “Holy Saturday” or “Easter Vigil” worship? In the earliest centuries of the church, the “triduum” (from sunset Thursday to sunset on Easter) was celebrated in one extended liturgy on the eve of Easter. Lent developed as an intensive time of preparation of catechumens for baptism and the moment par excellence for baptism was in the Easter Vigil. Following the theology of Romans 6:3-11, catechumens were baptized into the death and resurrection of Christ. So late at night on Saturday (when Christ lay in the tomb) they underwent symbolically-rich ritual actions of shedding and dying to the old and then rising to new life in Christ (see more about this in the history tour in my book, The Worship Workshop). As dawn broke on Easter morning, the newly baptized “Illuminate” (those illumined by Christ) came back into the waiting community with their new white clothes and freshly-lit candles. The Easter Vigil service can be a rich time of re-lighting the fires of resurrection, proclaiming the Good News, remembering the waters of our baptism and communing at the Table, just as the newly baptized did when they officially became members of the Christian community. Read on….

You may find specific liturgies for the Easter Vigil in books of worship (for example, the United Methodist Book of Worship). Here are some symbolic ritual acts to simply whet your appetite for considering this ritual:

Service of Light: Late Saturday night, build a bonfire in the church parking lot, symbolizing the light of resurrection. Light a large candle (Paschal candle) from it and then have everyone light their own candle from that. Process into the dark sanctuary, following the Paschal Candle, and see the space fill with light as people come in! Stationary candles all around the sanctuary are lit by the people.

Service of Word: Readings, dramas, music, dance all combine to tell the story of salvation history… from creation to any stories relating to the transformation of death to life. Why not also tell contemporary stories as well? Personal testimonies to God’s work in our lives would be appropriate here.

Service of Baptism and Baptismal Renewal: I actually think it would be amazing to make this service an annual time for baptisms! But it is also an awesome time for remembering our baptisms and honoring our ancient Christian ancestors. Many denominations have services of Reaffirmation. Additions to them, drawing from some ancient practices, would be to turn and face the West, the direction of the setting sun, and name forces of evil that work in our lives. Then turn toward the East and affirm the new life toward which we are constantly moving. After touching water in a font (try creating one from a large glass bowl with a light box underneath), another meaningful action could be receiving the sign of the cross on the forehead with oil as the early Christians did, affirming our discipleship in Christ. I like the full-circle connection of this related to the ashes we received at the beginning of the journey of Lent.

Service of the Table: Make this a joyful celebration! Communion has many theological meanings but at this moment of the celebration of resurrection, it is most appropriate to focus on the eschatological feast at which all are present!