‍Our Easter Vigil begins immediately following the conclusion of our Maundy Thursday (Holy Thursday) worship service. One or two congregants prayerfully keep vigil from 8pm Thursday Evening through 3pm Good Friday afternoon in the sancturay or at their home.

It is a way to spiritually journey with Jesus from the time of his betrayal in the Garden of Gethsemane through his last breath on the cross.

Some observe this time in silent prayers, others read scriptures, and some spend the time in a combination of the two.

‍The following are readings you may want to reflect on as you keep vigil:

‍1) The Easter Vigil Reading from the Revised Common Lectionary ‍recount the story of God as creator of the universe and our ever unfolding – and often challenging – relationship as children of God:

‍Genesis 1:1-2:4a and Psalm 136:1-9, 23-26

Genesis 7:1-5, 11-18; 8:6-18; 9:8-13 and Psalm 46

Genesis 22:1-18 and Psalm 16

Exodus 14:10-31; 15:20-21 and Exodus 15:1b-13, 17-18

Isaiah 55:1-11 and Isaiah 12:2-6

Baruch 3:9-15, 3:32-4:4 or Proverbs 8:1-8, 19-21; 9:4b-6 and Psalm 19

Ezekiel 36:24-28 and Psalm 42, 43

Ezekiel 37:1-14 and Psalm 143

Zephaniah 3:14-20 and Psalm 98

Romans 6:3-11 and Psalm 114

Luke 24:1-12

‍ ‍2) The story of Jesus’ last days ‍John chapters 13 through 19

‍ ‍3) Letter from a Birmingham Jail

‍Composed shortly after Easter 1963, The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King’s Letter from a Birmingham Jail is as powerful and informative today as it was sixty years ago. ‍ Full text available to read online and print here https://www.africa.upenn.edu/Articles_Gen/Letter_Birmingham.html

‍ ‍