From a liturgical/theological perspective, the Great Vigil of Easter is possibly the most important service we do all year! Join us this Saturday, March 30, starting at 7:15pm for a pilgrimage from the King Garden, to the Great Hall, then the front patio for the baptism, and finally into the church for the first Eucharist of Easter. This special service consists of four parts:

1. The "Service of Light" which includes kindling of a new fire, lighting the Paschal candle, and the Exsultet. This will be in the King Garden starting around 7:15pm (sunset).
2. The "Service of Lessons" that are readings from the Hebrew Scriptures interspersed with psalms, canticles, and prayers that are a record of our salvation history. This will take place in the Great Hall after a procession from the King Garden.
3. Christian Initiation that consists of Holy Baptism or the Renewal of Baptismal Vows. This will be on the front patio.
4. The Holy Eucharist in the Nave.

Through this liturgy, The Book of Common Prayer recovers an ancient practice of keeping the Easter feast. Believers would gather in the hours of darkness ending at dawn on Easter to hear scripture and offer prayer. This night-long service of prayerful watching anticipated the baptisms that would come at first light and the Easter Eucharist. Easter was the primary baptismal occasion for the early church. This practice linked the meanings of Christ's dying and rising to the understanding of baptism.