Liturgical Colour: White
The church is dark, or partially so, when the service is to begin. People may have unlit candles. The Easter/paschal candle is alight, or brought into the darkness.
All stand.
The people are greeted.
Alleluia! Christ is risen.
He is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Let us pray.
silence
one of the following or another appropriate prayer may be used
God of glory,
as daylight fades,
we give you thanks for surrounding us with the brightness of the evening light;
as you enfold us with the radiance of this light, so shine into our hearts the brightness of your Holy Spirit; through Jesus Christ the light of the world. Amen.
Grant us, compassionate God, the lamp of love which never fails, that it
may burn in us and shed its light on those around us, and
that by its brightness we may have a vision of that holy City,
where the true and never-failing Light lives:
Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
God of the universe,
you are the source of life and light:
dispel the darkness of our hearts,
that by your brightness we may know you to be
the true God and the eternal light,
loving and living
now and for ever. Amen.
Be our light in the darkness, God we pray,
and in your great mercy
defend us from all perils and dangers of this night;
for the love of our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Eternal God, who led your ancient people into freedom by a
pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night: Grant that
we who walk in the light of your presence may rejoice in the
liberty of the children of God; through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Amen.
The candles are now lit. The lights are turned on. During this an anthem, psalm, or Phos hilaron (Hail Gladening Light) or another hymn may be sung, or silence may be kept.
Any of the following may follow: Evening Prayer, Night Prayer, readings, a sermon, baptism, the eucharist. A Renewal of Baptism may be used at an appropriate point.
A Renewal of Baptism
I invite you (to stand) to affirm your commitment to Christ and your rejection of all that is evil.
Do you believe in God the Father?
I believe in God the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and will come again to judge the living and the dead.
Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Those who are baptised are called to worship and serve God. From the beginning, believers have continued in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers.
Will you commit yourself to this life?
I will, with God’s help.
Will you forgive others as you are forgiven?
I will, with God’s help.
Will you seek to love your neighbour as yourself, and strive for peace and justice?
I will, with God’s help.
Will you accept the cost of following Jesus Christ in your daily life and work?
I will, with God’s help.
With the whole Church will you proclaim by word and action the Good News of God in Christ?
I will, with God’s help. (NZPB p. 390)
If water is to be used, the following thanksgiving for water is said. The water may be in the font or in a special vessel.
The section between brackets may be omitted.
Let us give thanks to God.a
It is right to offer thanks and praise.
We thank you God for your love in all creation,
especially for your gift of water
to sustain, refresh and cleanse all life.
[We thank you for your covenant
with your people Israel;
through the Red Sea waters
you led them to freedom in the promised land.
In the waters of the Jordan
your Son was baptised by John
and anointed with the Holy Spirit.
Through the deep waters of death
Jesus fulfilled his baptism.
He died to set us free
and was raised to be exalted Lord of all.]
We thank you that through the waters of baptism
you cleanse us,
renew us by your Spirit
and raise us to new life.
In the new covenant
we are made members of your Church
and share in your eternal kingdom.
We pray that all who have passed through the waters of baptism
may continue for ever in the risen life of Christ.
Through Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all praise and thanks be yours, Redeemer God,
now and for ever. Amen. (cf. NZPB pages 385-386)
The congregation may be sprinkled.
The renewal of baptism is concluded with the following prayer.
God our creator,
the rock of our salvation,
we thank you for our new birth
by water and the Holy Spirit,
for the forgiveness of our sins,
and for our fellowship in the household of faith
with all those who have been baptised in your name;
keep us faithful to the calling of our baptism,
now and for ever. Amen.