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Saturday, March 30th, 2024
The Great Vigil of Easter
7:00 P.M. in the Nave & Livestreamed
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Welcome to St. Luke’s Cathedral
We are a community of faith with ancient worship and modern thought, catholic traditions and progressive theology. We proclaim a Biblical perspective for thinking people, a respect for reason, science, and a diversity of perspective. This empowers compassion and care for both the wider community and one another. Our commitment to welcome and inclusion is central to our mission modeled on the Kingdom of God and proclaimed by Jesus Christ.
A Warm Welcome to Visiting Clergy and Guests
We are deeply grateful to welcome clergy and parishioners from around the Diocese and the Greater Portland area to this evening's service.
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The Great Vigil of Easter Service Participants | |
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Preacher
The Reverend Thomas Mousin, St. Peter’s Episcopal
Celebrant
The Reverend George Stevens, Interim Dean, The Cathedral Church of St. Luke
Assisting
The Reverend Rebecca Grant, Deacon, The Cathedral Church of St. Luke
The Reverend Heather Sylvester, Deacon, Trinity Episcopal
The Reverend Peter Swarr, Trinity Episcopal
The Reverend Suzanne Roberts, Associate Priest, The Cathedral Church of St. Luke
The Reverend Christopher Worthley, Assisting Clergy, The Cathedral Church of St. Luke
The Reverend Amanda Gerkin-Nelson, St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal
The Reverend Timothy Higgins, St. Anne’s Episcopal
Cantor
Christian M. Clough, Canon for Liturgy and Music
Music Leader & Organist
Christian M. Clough, Canon for Liturgy and Music
Head Verger of the Cathedral
Eleanor Roberts
Verger
Alec Thorne
Thurifer
Michael Thorne
Crucifer
Eleanor Roberts
Banner
Victor Troiano
Acolytes
Lucy Swarr, Eli Swarr
Ushers
Peter Bingham, Stan Kuziel
Readers and Prayers Leaders
Creation
Caleb Ireland
Flood
Harold Stover
Red Sea
Jonathan Radtke
New Heart
Peter Carleton
Dry Bones
Mary Linneman, Judd Hume
Prayer Leader
Ruth Roemer
Epistle
Myrna Koonce
Live Streaming
Jack Swanton, Sam Allen
Contributing Ministries
The Cathedral Choir, Acolytes, Vergers, The Flower Guild, The Altar Guild
Music copyrights granted under OneLicense.net #A-713087. Sources: The Hymnal 1982, Lift Every Voice and Sing II, Wonder, Love, and Praise, Voices Found, My Heart Sings Out, The Saint Helena Psalter, The Book of Common Prayer,, Enriching our Worship, The Holy Bible (NRSV).
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AN EASTER WELCOME
About Easter, Bishop of Massachusetts and Rector of Trinity Church in Boston, Phillips Brooks said, “Tomb, thou shalt not hold Him longer; Death is strong, but Life is stronger; Stronger than the dark, the light; Stronger than the wrong, the right; Faith and Hope triumphant say Christ will rise on Easter Day.” It is a truth that is worth repeating, not just during this holy season, but every day.
The clergy, staff, and Lesser Chapter wish you a blessed and joyous Eastertide. If you are visiting, we welcome you. If you are here longer, we hope you will make St. Luke’s your spiritual home. St. Luke’s has the unique role of being both a cathedral and a parish church. To learn more about us and the life of the church please visit us again in person, or on the web.
Blessings,
The Reverend George R. Stevens, Interim Dean
| Easter Flowers, Music, & General Support | |
Each Easter season we welcome gifts from members of the wider community in support of the Easter flowers, music, and general support of the cathedral; given in memory of a loved one or in thanksgiving for life's blessings.
On behalf of the entire cathedral community, we thank all who generously gave during this Holy Week.
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About the Easter Vigil
Beginning as early as New Testament times and continuing into the practice of the early church, the Great Vigil of Easter was a very special time for Christians. The first record of the Great Vigil comes from a service manual used in Rome around 215 AD. Besides the Eucharist itself, this Christian adaptation of the Jewish Passover rite is the closest we have to the worship of the early church and that of Jesus himself.
By the eighth century, the liturgy for the Great Vigil had become very elaborate. The service began with the kindling of the new fire, the procession of the Paschal candle and the chanting of the Exsultet. Then up to twelve Old Testament readings followed, interspersed with psalms, canticles and prayers. The water of the baptismal font was exorcized and blessed; and the people were sprinkled with water as a reminder of their baptism. The candidates for baptism were then called to make a three-fold renunciation of Satan, followed by a three-fold confession of faith. After immersion, they were anointed and then clothed in white garments to symbolize that in Christ they were a new creation. At the Eucharist, which followed, the newly baptized would make their first communion. The Great Vigil liturgy was filled with images that showed the connection between baptism and the Eucharist. This was a celebration not only of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, but also of the individual Christian’s own death and resurrection in Christ through baptism.
Our service tonight contains much of the rich symbolism of the liturgical practices of the early church. The service begins with the Service of Light, when the new fire is kindled. Then the light of Christ, symbolized by the Paschal candle, is processed to the front of the cathedral. The Exsultet is chanted, recounting the victory of Christ over the forces of darkness, celebrating Christ’s deliverance of his people from sin and death, and finally praising God for the loving-kindness of sending a son to redeem humanity. The service of Lessons contains only a few lessons, not the twelve used in the eighth century church! First, the Creation story reminds us that God is the creator as well as the restorer of the dignity of human nature. Second, the story of Israel’s crossing of the Red Sea reminds us, just as Israel was delivered from their bondage in Egypt, so through baptism, all Christians come to be numbered among those saved from the bondage of sin and death. The service continues with Baptism (or the renewal of Baptismal vows) and concludes with the Eucharist, as was the custom in the early church. As Jewish custom dictates that the day begins at sundown the night before, this service of Easter Eve is the first service of Easter, much in the way that Christmas Eve is the first service of Christmas. We thank you for celebrating the resurrection and saying Alleluia together!
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A Note Regarding Livestreaming of Holy Week Services
Each week the cathedral is blessed with the gifts of time and talent from our dedicated volunteer live-streamers.
On Easter Day, a livestream will be available at 9:00AM but not at 11:00AM. The livestream from the earlier service will be available on our Youtube page.
With questions, please email the Reverend George Stevens, or Sam Allen.
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An Easter Message from Presiding Bishop Curry | |
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Below is a transcript of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s
Easter 2024 video message
"Hello to my beloved family in Christ. I want to take this opportunity, first of all, on behalf of my wife, Sharon, and our family, to thank you. To thank you for your prayers, to thank you for your well wishes, your expressions of support and kindness. We are equally thankful for the blessing of remarkable medical care and pastoral support. As you may know, I've been working a bit from home—at a reduced level, to be sure, but I'm gradually increasing that.
Just two weeks ago, my medical team approved me to drive locally and to resume short domestic flights. I can't tell you how much your prayers have sustained me and my family through this medical journey. Prayer matters. We don't always know how. We don't always know or understand the outcome."
To read Presiding Bishop Curry's full message or to watch his message, click here.
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Bring Bells for the Easter Vigil & Easter Day Services
Please bring bells to ring at the Easter Acclamation and at other festive points during the liturgies this evening, (The Great Vigil of Easter) & tomorrow morning, Sunday, March 31st (Easter Day).
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An Easter Letter
Shared by the St. Luke's Haiti-Maine Partnership
The St. Luke's Haiti-Maine Partnership shares a letter written by The Reverend Kesner Gracia, Coordinator of the Partnership Program for the Diocese of Haiti.
"Dear brothers and sisters,
Dear friends, partners, supporters,
Dear All,
We greet you in the holy and precious name of the risen Lord!
It is with great joy that we write during this Easter period, to show our deep gratitude to each of you. In this darkest moment in our history, without your support we would not have been able to hold on. Thank you very much for your generosity, your love, your friendship, and your compassion towards Haitian children in the different missions of the Diocese of Haiti."
To read the full letter, click here.
If you would like to learn more or support the St. Luke’s Haiti Partnership, you may use this link here, or write a check with "Haiti-Maine Partnership in the memo.
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The St. Luke's
Annual Easter Egg Hunt
Our Annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held between the Easter services at 10:30 am in the Bishop’s Garden, inside the gate adjacent to the State Street entrance to the cathedral; in case of rain, in Emmanuel Chapel, at the back of the nave. Everyone is welcome to this fun-filled celebration!
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Click on the Episcopal Maine Logo above to learn about all that is happening in the wider Diocese.
https://episcopalmaine.org
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stlukesportland.org
(207)-772-5434
Email
Physical Address:
143 State Street, Portland, ME 04101
Parking Available at:
134 Park Street, Portland, ME 04101
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 4141, Portland, ME 04101
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