Holy Saturday (Easter Eve)
Antiphon
Setting by Rachel Wilhelm: https://tinyurl.com/ssededyz
Man that is born of a woman
has but a short time to live and is full of misery.
He comes up and is cut down;
much like a flower in spring that blooms and then is gone.
He flees, he flees, as he were a shadow;
He flees, he flees, as he were a spark;
He blooms for a time then the wind
Blows him away…
All flesh is like grass.
He is but a breath, his days are like a shadow.
He’s of yesterday and not tomorrow, tomorrow.
All his years seem long and scatter in the breeze.
All his sorrow fleeting memory.
Almighty God,
to whom all hearts are open,
all desires, known,
and from whom no secrets are hid:
Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts
by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,
that we may perfectly love you
and worthily magnify your holy name;
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
We thank you, heavenly Father,
that you have delivered us from the dominion of sin and death
and brought us into the kingdom of your Son;
and we pray that, as by his death he has recalled us to life,
so by his love he may raise us to eternal joys;
who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen. WS2
Music: https://tinyurl.com/ufxekitx
God, come to my assistance.
Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
HYMN: Fred Pratt Green ©
Tune: Third Mode Melody https://tinyurl.com/22f3j2y3
1 To mock your reign, O dearest Lord,
they made a crown of thorns;
set you with taunts along that road
from which no one returns.
They did not know, as we do now,
that glorious is your crown;
that thorns would flower upon your brow,
your sorrows heal our own.
2 In mock acclaim, O gracious Lord,
they snatched a purple cloak,
your passion turned, for all they cared,
into a soldier’s joke.
They did not know, as we do now,
that though we merit blame
you will your robe of mercy throw
around our naked shame.
3 A sceptered reed, O patient Lord,
they thrust into your hand,
and acted out their grim charade
to its appointed end.
They did not know, as we do now,
though empires rise and fall,
your Kingdom shall not cease to grow
till love embraces all.
PSALMS
Psalm 82 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/razmhgg)
1 God standeth in the congregation of princes *
he is a Judge among gods.
2 How long will ye give wrong judgement *
and accept the persons of the ungodly?
3 Defend the poor and fatherless *
see that such as are in need and necessity have right.
4 Deliver the out-cast and poor *
save them from the hand of the ungodly.
5 They will not be learned nor understand, but walk on still in darkness *
all the foundations of the earth are out of course.
6 I have said, Ye are gods *
and ye are all the children of the most Highest.
7 But ye shall die like men *
and fall like one of the princes.
8 Arise, O God, and judge thou the earth *
for thou shalt take all heathen to thine inheritance.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.
Psalm 82 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-82.mp3)
1 God takes his stand in the council of heaven; *
he gives judgment in the midst of the gods:
2 “How long will you judge unjustly, *
and show favor to the wicked?
3 Save the weak and the orphan; *
defend the humble and needy;
4 Rescue the weak and the poor; *
deliver them from the power of the wicked.
5 They do not know, neither do they understand;
they go about in darkness; *
all the foundations of the earth are shaken.
6 Now I say to you, ‘You are gods, *
and all of you children of the Most High;
7 Nevertheless, you shall die like mortals, *
and fall like any prince.'”
8 Arise, O God, and rule the earth, *
for you shall take all nations for your own.
Psalm 83 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/vofvsch)
1 Hold not thy tongue, O God, keep not still silence *
refrain not thyself, O God.
2 For lo, thine enemies make a murmuring *
and they that hate thee have lift up their head.
3 They have imagined craftily against thy people *
and taken counsel against thy secret ones.
4 They have said, Come, and let us root them out,
that they be no more a people *
and that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.
5 For they have cast their heads together with one consent *
and are confederate against thee;
6 The tabernacles of the Edomites, and the Ismaelites *
the Moabites, and Hagarens;
7 Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek *
the Philistines, with them that dwell at Tyre.
8 Assur also is joined with them *
and have holpen the children of Lot.
9 But do thou to them as unto the Madianites *
unto Sisera, and unto Jabin at the brook of Kison;
10 Who perished at Endor *
and became as the dung of the earth.
11 Make them and their princes like Oreb and Zeb *
yea, make all their princes like as Zeba and Salmana;
12 Who say, Let us take to ourselves *
the houses of God in possession.
13 O my God, make them like unto a wheel *
and as the stubble before the wind;
14 Like as the fire that burneth up the wood *
and as the flame that consumeth the mountains.
15 Persecute them even so with thy tempest *
and make them afraid with thy storm.
16 Make their faces ashamed, O Lord *
that they may seek thy Name.
17 Let them be confounded and vexed ever more and more *
let them be put to shame, and perish.
18 And they shall know that thou, whose Name is Jehovah *
art only the most Highest over all the earth.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.
Psalm 83 (Jason Silver: https://tinyurl.com/snww3bp6]
Refrain:
O God, do not keep silence;
Do not hold your peace or be still,
O God! Even now your enemies are roaring;
Those who hate you, rearing up their heads. (x2)
They lay crafty plans against your people;
They consult together against those you protect.
They say, ”˜Come, let us wipe them out as a nation;
”Let the name of Israel be remembered no more.”
They conspire with one accord against you.
Make a covenant with the tents of Edom and Moab
Ishmaelites, and Hagrites, Gebal and Ammon and Amalek,
Philistia, Tyre; Assyria: they’re the strong arm of Lot. [Refrain]
Do to them as you did to Midian,
As to Sisera and Jabin at Wadi Kishon,
Who perished at En-dor, who became dung for the ground.
Make their nobles like Oreb, like Oreb and like Zeeb,
All their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,
Who said, ”˜Let us take the land of God for our own.”
O my God, make them like whirling dust, like chaff to wind.
As the fire burns the forest, so pursue with your storms.
Fill their faces with shame,
So then they may seek your name, O Lord.
Let them ever be dismayed;
Let them perish in disgrace.
Let them know that you alone,
Whose name is Lord,
Are the Most High over all the earth. [Refrain x 2]
Psalm 84 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/qtssfwx)
1 O how amiable are thy dwellings *
thou Lord of hosts!
2 My soul hath a desire and longing to enter into the courts of the Lord *
my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God.
3 Yea, the sparrow hath found her an house,
and the swallow a nest where she may lay her young *
even thy altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.
4 Blessed are they that dwell in thy house *
they will be alway praising thee.
5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee *
in whose heart are thy ways.
6 Who going through the vale of misery use it for a well *
and the pools are filled with water.
7 They will go from strength to strength *
and unto the God of gods appeareth every one of them in Sion.
8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer *
hearken, O God of Jacob.
9 Behold, O God our defender *
and look upon the face of thine Anointed.
10 For one day in thy courts *
is better than a thousand.
11 I had rather be a door-keeper in the house of my God *
than to dwell in the tents of ungodliness.
12 For the Lord God is a light and defence *
the Lord will give grace and worship,
and no good thing shall he withhold from them that live a godly life.
13 O Lord God of hosts *
blessed is the man that putteth his trust in thee.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.
Psalm 83 (Coptic Chant: https://tinyurl.com/pbrzs4pf)
How beloved are Your dwellings,
O Lord, God of hosts!
My soul longs, and faints for the courts of the Lord:
my heart and my flesh have exulted in the living God.
For, the sparrow has found for himself a home,
and the turtledove for herself a nest,
where she may lay her young;
your altars, O Lord, God of hosts, my King, and my God.
Blessed are all who dwell in your house:
they will praise you forever and ever.
Blessed is the man whose help is from you, O Lord;
he sets paths upward in his heart in the valley of weeping,
in the place which he has appointed,
for there the Law‑Giver will grant blessings.
They shall go from strength to strength:
the God of gods shall be revealed in Zion.
O Lord, God of hosts, hear my prayer:
hearken, O God of Jacob.
Behold, O God our defender,
and look upon the face of your anointed.
For one day in your courts
is better than thousands.
I chose to throw myself down in the house of God,
more than to dwell in the tents of the sinners.
For the Lord God loves mercy and truth;
he shall give grace and glory:
the Lord shall not withhold good things
from those who walk in innocence.
O Lord God of hosts,
blessed is the man who hopes in You. ALLELUIA.
Psalm 85 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/wzy6e5z)
1 Lord, thou art become gracious unto thy land *
thou hast turned away the captivity of Jacob.
2 Thou hast forgiven the offence of thy people *
and covered all their sins.
3 Thou hast taken away all thy displeasure *
and turned thyself from thy wrathful indignation.
4 Turn us then, O God our Saviour *
and let thine anger cease from us.
5 Wilt thou be displeased at us for ever *
and wilt thou stretch out thy wrath from one generation to another?
6 Wilt thou not turn again, and quicken us *
that thy people may rejoice in thee?
7 Shew us thy mercy, O Lord *
and grant us thy salvation.
8 I will hearken what the Lord God will say concerning me *
for he shall speak peace unto his people,
and to his saints, that they turn not again.
9 For his salvation is nigh them that fear him *
that glory may dwell in our land.
10 Mercy and truth are met together *
righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
11 Truth shall flourish out of the earth *
and righteousness hath looked down from heaven.
12 Yea, the Lord shall shew loving-kindness *
and our land shall give her increase.
13 Righteousness shall go before him *
and he shall direct his going in the way.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.
Psalm 85 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-85.mp3)
1 You have been gracious to your land, O LORD, *
you have restored the good fortune of Jacob.
2 You have forgiven the iniquity of your people *
and blotted out all their sins.
3 You have withdrawn all your fury *
and turned yourself from your wrathful indignation.
4 Restore us then, O God our Savior; *
let your anger depart from us.
5 Will you be displeased with us for ever? *
will you prolong your anger from age to age?
6 Will you not give us life again, *
that your people may rejoice in you?
7 Show us your mercy, O LORD, *
and grant us your salvation.
8 I will listen to what the LORD God is saying, *
for he is speaking peace to his faithful people
and to those who turn their hearts to him.
9 Truly, his salvation is very near to those who fear him, *
that his glory may dwell in our land.
10 Mercy and truth have met together; *
righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
11 Truth shall spring up from the earth, *
and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
12 The LORD will indeed grant prosperity, *
and our land will yield its increase.
13 Righteousness shall go before him, *
and peace shall be a pathway for his feet.
PRAYER
God of grace,
you loved the world so much
that you gave your only Son to be our Savior.
Help us to rejoice in your redeeming grace
by showing mercy,
and by walking in the way of justice and peace,
for the sake of Jesus Christ, redeemer of the world. Amen. BCW
THE WORD OF GOD
Reading: Job 14:1-14
A mortal, born of woman, few of days and full of trouble,
comes up like a flower and withers,
flees like a shadow and does not last.
Do you fix your eyes on such a one?
Do you bring me into judgement with you?
Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean?
No one can.
Since their days are determined,
and the number of their months is known to you,
and you have appointed the bounds that they cannot pass,
look away from them, and desist,
that they may enjoy, like labourers, their days.
For there is hope for a tree,
if it is cut down, that it will sprout again,
and that its shoots will not cease.
Though its root grows old in the earth,
and its stump dies in the ground,
yet at the scent of water it will bud
and put forth branches like a young plant.
But mortals die, and are laid low;
humans expire, and where are they?
As waters fail from a lake,
and a river wastes away and dries up,
so mortals lie down and do not rise again;
until the heavens are no more, they will not awake
or be roused out of their sleep.
O that you would hide me in Sheol,
that you would conceal me until your wrath is past,
that you would appoint me a set time, and remember me!
If mortals die, will they live again?
All the days of my service I would wait
until my release should come.
HYMN: Horatio Gates Spafford
Tune: Ville de Havre https://tinyurl.com/2p953ymt
1 When peace like a river attendeth my way,
when sorrows like sea billows roll;
whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
“It is well, it is well with my soul.”
Refrain:
It is well with my soul;
it is well, it is well with my soul.
2 Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
let this blest assurance control:
that Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
and has shed his own blood for my soul. Refrain
3 My sin oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
my sin, not in part, but the whole,
is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more;
praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! Refrain
4 O Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
the clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
the trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend;
even so, it is well with my soul. Refrain
Reading: Colossians 1:18-23
He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.
And you who were once estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his fleshly body through death, so as to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him— provided that you continue securely established and steadfast in the faith, without shifting from the hope promised by the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven. I, Paul, became a servant of this gospel.
HYMN: Isaac Watts
Tune: Hudson https://tinyurl.com/myxwzdrx
1 Alas! and did my Savior bleed,
and did my Sovereign die!
Would he devote that sacred head
for sinners such as I?
2 Was it for crimes that I have done,
he groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! Grace unknown!
And love beyond degree!
3 Well might the sun in darkness hide,
and shut its glories in,
when God, the mighty maker, died
for his own creature’s sin.
4 Thus might I hide my blushing face
while his dear cross appears;
dissolve my heart in thankfulness,
and melt mine eyes to tears.
5 But drops of tears can ne’er repay
the debt of love I owe.
Here, Lord, I give myself away;
’tis all that I can do.
Reading: Mark 15:42-47
When evening had come, and since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had been dead for some time. When he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. Then Joseph bought a linen cloth, and taking down the body, wrapped it in the linen cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. He then rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where the body was laid.
CANTICLE Jonah 2:2-9
(Patrick Schlabs: https://tinyurl.com/yy9zwfv6)
You cast me out into the deep
And there your floods surround
I sank beneath the raging sea
As billows crashed around
I was thrown out from your sight
And I was driven away
I know I will see with my eyes
Again your holy place
Refrain:
I called to God in my distress
He has heard my voice
I cried to him out of the depths
He answered my call, he answered my call
The waters closed in over me
They came to bring me death
I was covered up by the deep
Weeds choked out my breath
I sank down to the mountain roots
The earth had locked me in
Just as the grave sealed up its gates
You saved me from the pit Refrain
As my life fainted away
I remembered you my God
All those who hope in idols vain
Forsake their hope of loveI called to God in my distress
He has heard my voice
I cried to him out of the depths
He answered my call
So with my voice I will give thanks
A sacrifice to you
What I have vowed I now will pay
Salvation comes from you
Salvation comes from you
Salvation comes from you
THE PRAYERS CW:TS
Let us pray to the Father through his Son
who suffered on the cross for the world’s redemption.
Fill Christ’s broken body, the Church, with your Spirit…
Give to Christian people everywhere a deep longing
to take up the cross and to understand its mysterious glory.
By the Saviour’s cross and passion,
Lord, save us and help us.
Bless those who lead the Church’s worship at this solemn time …
In the preaching of the word and the celebration of the sacraments
draw your people close to you.
By the Saviour’s cross and passion,
Lord, save us and help us.
Strengthen those who are preparing for baptism,
together with their teachers, sponsors and families …
Teach them what it means to die and rise with Christ
and prepare them to receive the breath of his Spirit.
By the Saviour’s cross and passion,
Lord, save us and help us.
Look in your mercy upon the world you loved so much
that you sent your Son to suffer and to die …
Strengthen those who work to share
the reconciliation won at such a cost upon the cross.
By the Saviour’s cross and passion,
Lord, save us and help us.
Bring healing by the wounds of Christ
to all who are weighed down by pain and injustice …
Help the lonely and the betrayed, the suffering and the dying,
to find strength in the companionship of Jesus,
and in his passion to know their salvation.
By the Saviour’s cross and passion,
Lord, save us and help us.
Welcome into paradise all who have left this world in your friendship …
According to your promises,
bring them with all your saints
to share in all the benefits of Christ’s death and resurrection.
By the Saviour’s cross and passion,
Lord, save us and help us.
Holy God,
holy and strong,
holy and immortal,
have mercy on us.
Setting by Eric Wyse:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread;
and forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.
Lord, you dwell within the limits
and press beyond them all
for borders are not borders with you
and death is a gateway to life:
take us to the thin places
where hearts are thrown open wide,
feet sink into earth
and the sky sings a new song;
through Jesus Christ, the passion of God. Amen. PIC
Music: https://tinyurl.com/y9efvwm5
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen. 2 Cor. 13:14
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BCW Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., 1993.
PIC Prayers for An Inclusive Church. Steven Shakespeare © 2008 Canterbury Press.
CW:TS Common Worship: Times and Seasons, material from which is included here,
is copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2006 and published by Church House Publishing.
WS2 The Worship Sourcebook, 2nd edition, © 2013, Faith Alive Christian Resources
The three main scripture readings are from the The New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Edition, The New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The traditional language psalms are from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). The modern language versions of Psalms 82 and 85 are from the The Book of Common Prayer (1979) and is sung by Ryland Angel. Psalm 83 is the version sung by Jason Silver, while Psalm 84 is the Coptic chant in the version used in the Agpeya, the Coptic office book.
Musical links are usually either to artists’ albums posted on Spotify or to recordings made available at smallchurchmusic.com. Audio stripped from YouTube videos is footnoted accordingly above.
Compilation © 2022 Stephen T. Benner. All links worked at the time they were created, but I cannot accept responsibility for their content or any damage resulting from their use. The linked content is under the control of the respective content creators and is subject to change at any time. Any copyright texts included in this compilation are provided for non-commercial purposes related to study or worship. Please contact the respective copyright holders for permission to use the texts in other contexts.
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