Holy Saturday

One of the most interesting days of the church year. You're caught in suspense as you hold in the A-word for just one more night. Come morning the A's ring out. But for tonight we celebrate subdued. The Easter Vigil is personally one of my favorite services of the year. In fact you could probably find my top 5 being this weekend. This service at 5pm at Trinity Islip is a close second to the overjoyed celebration that takes place in the morning. The order of the service will follow lighting the Paschal Candle in the darkness and following that in behind with candles lit ourselves. The Service of the Readings, which encompass Creation, The Flood, Israel's Deliverance at the Red Sea, and Encouragement flows right into the Service of Holy Baptism. From there we remember our baptisms and renounce the devil and all forces of evil and go to the Service of Holy Communion. Nourished by Christ's Body and Blood we go out into the evening/night ready to burst at the seems, but holding fast for one more night.

The Sending Hymn? The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns.

Also, for your reading enjoyment, here's a nugget from Pastor Cwirla, of Trinity Lutheran Church in Hacienda, CA. His Lenten Daily Devotional, Sacred Head, Now Wounded, I have been following throughout these 46 days. This section from today especially stood out to me:

This night, the night before the morning of the resurrection, is the most holy of all nights. This is the first day, when light was spoken into darkness. This is the night of the Passover, when the children of Israel walked through blood-stained wood into freedom. This is the night that Israel walked through sea on dry ground. This is the night the crucified Lamb declares the victory of His cross. This is the night when the chains of death are broken and light breaks out in the darkness of the grave.

Wow. This is the night!