EASTER VIGIL April 12, 2020 Year A, Revised Common Lectionary

[formatted version with line breaks and verse markers removed]

Table of Contents

• All Texts, Psalm in Poem Format, with Black and White Art Image [pgs.2-8] • Compact Double Column All Texts [pgs.9-14] • Compact Triple Column All Texts [pgs.15-20] • All Texts, Large Font [pgs.21-70] • All Texts, Half Page Format [pgs.71-76]

From: Revised Common Lectionary, Vanderbilt Divinity Library http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu

 EASTER VIGIL  vegetation plants yielding seed of every kind, and trees April 12, 2020 of every kind bearing fruit with the seed in it. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there Year A, Revised Common Lectionary was morning, the third day. And God said, "Let there be

lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years, and let them be lights in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth." And it was so. God made the two great lights--the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night--and the stars. God set them in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day. And God said, "Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the dome of the sky.” So God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, of every kind, with which the waters swarm, and every winged bird of every kind. And God saw that it was good. God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” And there was evening and there was morning, the fifth day. And God said, "Let the earth bring forth living creatures of every kind cattle and creeping things and wild animals of the earth of every kind." And it was so. God made the wild animals of the earth of every kind, and the cattle of every kind, and everything that creeps upon the ground

Ezekiel in the Valley of the Dry Bones, St. Nicholas church, of every kind. And God saw that it was good. Then God Deptford Green, England, late 17th c. said, "Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the Old Testament Readings and Psalms fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, Genesis 1:1-2:4a In the beginning when God created and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the the heavens and the earth. The earth was a formless earth.” So God created humankind in his image, in the void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a image of God he created them; male and female he wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then created them. God blessed them, and God said to God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. And them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and God saw that the light was good; and God separated subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and over the birds of the air and over every living thing and the darkness he called Night. And there was that moves upon the earth.” God said, "See, I have evening and there was morning, the first day. And God given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face said, "Let there be a dome in the midst of the waters, of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you and let it separate the waters from the waters.” So God shall have them for food. And to every beast of the made the dome and separated the waters that were earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that under the dome from the waters that were above the creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of dome. And it was so. God called the dome Sky. And life, I have given every green plant for food." And it was there was evening and there was morning, the second so. God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, day. And God said, "Let the waters under the sky be it was very good. And there was evening and there was gathered together into one place, and let the dry land morning, the sixth day. Thus the heavens and the earth appear." And it was so. God called the dry land Earth, were finished, and all their multitude. And on the and the waters that were gathered together he called seventh day God finished the work that he had done, Seas. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that "Let the earth put forth vegetation plants yielding seed, he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and and fruit trees of every kind on earth that bear fruit with hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work the seed in it." And it was so. The earth brought forth that he had done in creation. These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they in as God had commanded him; and the LORD shut him were created. in. The flood continued forty days on the earth; and the waters increased, and bore up the ark, and it rose high Psalm 136:1-9, 23-26 above the earth. The waters swelled and increased ❖ give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his greatly on the earth; and the ark floated on the face of steadfast love endures forever. the waters. At the end of forty days Noah opened the ❖ give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast window of the ark that he had made and sent out the love endures forever. raven; and it went to and fro until the waters were dried ❖ give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his up from the earth. Then he sent out the dove from him, steadfast love endures forever; to see if the waters had subsided from the face of the ❖ who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast ground; but the dove found no place to set its foot, and love endures forever; it returned to him to the ark, for the waters were still on ❖ who by understanding made the heavens, for the face of the whole earth. So he put out his hand and his steadfast love endures forever; took it and brought it into the ark with him. He waited ❖ who spread out the earth on the waters, for his another seven days, and again he sent out the dove steadfast love endures forever; from the ark; and the dove came back to him in the ❖ who made the great lights, for his steadfast love evening, and there in its beak was a freshly plucked endures forever; olive leaf; so Noah knew that the waters had subsided ❖ the sun to rule over the day, for his steadfast from the earth. Then he waited another seven days, love endures forever; and sent out the dove; and it did not return to him any ❖ the moon and stars to rule over the night, for more. In the six hundred first year, in the first month, his steadfast love endures forever; the first day of the month, the waters were dried up ❖ It is he who remembered us in our low estate, from the earth; and Noah removed the covering of the for his steadfast love endures forever; ark, and looked, and saw that the face of the ground ❖ and rescued us from our foes, for his steadfast was drying. In the second month, on the twenty-seventh love endures forever; day of the month, the earth was dry. Then God said to ❖ who gives food to all flesh, for his steadfast love Noah, "Go out of the ark, you and your wife, and your endures forever. sons and your sons' wives with you. Bring out with you ❖ give thanks to the God of heaven, for his every living thing that is with you of all flesh--birds and steadfast love endures forever. animals and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth--so that they may abound on the earth, and be Genesis 7:1-5, 11-18; 8:6-18; 9:8-13 Then the LORD fruitful and multiply on the earth.” So Noah went out said to Noah, "Go into the ark, you and all your with his sons and his wife and his sons' wives. Then household, for I have seen that you alone are righteous God said to Noah and to his sons with him, "As for me, I before me in this generation. Take with you seven pairs am establishing my covenant with you and your of all clean animals, the male and its mate; and a pair descendants after you, and with every living creature of the animals that are not clean, the male and its that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and mate; and seven pairs of the birds of the air also, male every animal of the earth with you, as many as came and female, to keep their kind alive on the face of all out of the ark. I establish my covenant with you, that the earth. For in seven days I will send rain on the earth never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a for forty days and forty nights; and every living thing flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy that I have made I will blot out from the face of the the earth.” God said, "This is the sign of the covenant ground.” And Noah did all that the LORD had that I make between me and you and every living commanded him. In the six hundredth year of Noah's creature that is with you, for all future generations I life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep the covenant between me and the earth. burst forth, and the windows of the heavens were opened. The rain fell on the earth forty days and forty Psalm 46 nights. On the very same day Noah with his sons, Shem ❖ God is our refuge and strength, a very present and Ham and Japheth, and Noah's wife and the three help in trouble. wives of his sons entered the ark, they and every wild ❖ Therefore we will not fear, though the earth animal of every kind, and all domestic animals of every should change, though the mountains shake in kind, and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, the heart of the sea; and every bird of every kind--every bird, every winged ❖ though its waters roar and foam, though the creature. They went into the ark with Noah, two and two mountains tremble with its tumult. Selah of all flesh in which there was the breath of life. And ❖ There is a river whose streams make glad the those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. ❖ God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be withheld your son, your only son, I will indeed bless you, moved; God will help it when the morning and I will make your offspring as numerous as the stars dawns. of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And ❖ The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms your offspring shall possess the gate of their enemies, totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. and by your offspring shall all the nations of the earth ❖ The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob gain blessing for themselves, because you have obeyed is our refuge. Selah my voice." ❖ Come, behold the works of the LORD; see what desolations he has brought on the earth. Psalm 16 ❖ He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; ❖ Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge. he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; he ❖ I say to the LORD, "You are my Lord; I have no burns the shields with fire. good apart from you.” ❖ "Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted ❖ As for the holy ones in the land, they are the among the nations, I am exalted in the earth.” noble, in whom is all my delight. ❖ The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob ❖ Those who choose another god multiply their is our refuge. Selah sorrows; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names upon my lips. Genesis 22:1-18 After these things God tested ❖ The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, hold my lot. "Here I am.” He said, "Take your son, your only son ❖ The boundary lines have fallen for me in Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and pleasant places; I have a goodly heritage. offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the ❖ I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the mountains that I shall show you.” So Abraham rose night also my heart instructs me. early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two ❖ I keep the LORD always before me; because he of his young men with him, and his son Isaac; he cut is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. the wood for the burnt offering, and set out and went to ❖ Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul the place in the distance that God had shown him. On rejoices; my body also rests secure. the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place far ❖ For you do not give me up to Sheol, or let your away. Then Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here faithful one see the Pit. with the donkey; the boy and I will go over there; we will ❖ You show me the path of life. In your presence worship, and then we will come back to you.” Abraham there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on his pleasures forevermore. son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. So the two of them walked on together. Isaac said to Exodus 14:10-31; 15:20-21 As Pharaoh drew near, his father Abraham, "Father!" And he said, "Here I am, the Israelites looked back, and there were the my son." He said, "The fire and the wood are here, but Egyptians advancing on them. In great fear the where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham said, Israelites cried out to the LORD. They said to Moses, "God himself will provide the lamb for a burnt offering, "Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you my son." So the two of them walked on together. When have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What they came to the place that God had shown him, have you done to us, bringing us out of Egypt? Is this Abraham built an altar there and laid the wood in order. not the very thing we told you in Egypt, 'Let us alone He bound his son Isaac, and laid him on the altar, on and let us serve the Egyptians'? For it would have been top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the and took the knife to kill his son. But the angel of the wilderness.” But Moses said to the people, "Do not be LORD called to him from heaven, and said, "Abraham, afraid, stand firm, and see the deliverance that the Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am.” He said, "Do not LORD will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him; for now whom you see today you shall never see again. The I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld LORD will fight for you, and you have only to keep still.” your son, your only son, from me.” And Abraham looked Then the LORD said to Moses, "Why do you cry out to up and saw a ram, caught in a thicket by its horns. me? Tell the Israelites to go forward. But you lift up your Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called it, that the Israelites may go into the sea on dry ground. that place "The LORD will provide"; as it is said to this Then I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that day, "On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided.” they will go in after them; and so I will gain glory for The angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time myself over Pharaoh and all his army, his chariots, and from heaven, and said, "By myself I have sworn, says his chariot drivers. And the Egyptians shall know that I the LORD Because you have done this, and have not am the LORD, when I have gained glory for myself over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his chariot drivers.” The piled up, the floods stood up in a heap; the deeps angel of God who was going before the Israelite army congealed in the heart of the sea. The enemy said, 'I moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil, my moved from in front of them and took its place behind desire shall have its fill of them. I will draw my sword, them. It came between the army of Egypt and the army my hand shall destroy them.’ You blew with your wind, of Israel. And so the cloud was there with the darkness, the sea covered them; they sank like lead in the mighty and it lit up the night; one did not come near the other waters. Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who all night. Then Moses stretched out his hand over the is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in splendor, sea. The LORD drove the sea back by a strong east doing wonders? You stretched out your right hand, the wind all night, and turned the sea into dry land; and the earth swallowed them. In your steadfast love you led waters were divided. The Israelites went into the sea on the people whom you redeemed; you guided them by dry ground, the waters forming a wall for them on their your strength to your holy abode. You brought them in right and on their left. The Egyptians pursued, and went and planted them on the mountain of your own into the sea after them, all of Pharaoh's horses, possession, the place, O LORD, that you made your chariots, and chariot drivers. At the morning watch the abode, the sanctuary, O LORD, that your hands have LORD in the pillar of fire and cloud looked down upon established. The LORD will reign forever and ever." the Egyptian army, and threw the Egyptian army into panic. He clogged their chariot wheels so that they Isaiah 12:2-6 Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, turned with difficulty. The Egyptians said, "Let us flee and will not be afraid, for the LORD GOD is my strength from the Israelites, for the LORD is fighting for them and my might; he has become my salvation. With joy against Egypt.” Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you out your hand over the sea, so that the water may come will say in that day Give thanks to the LORD, call on his back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots and name; make known his deeds among the nations; chariot drivers.” So Moses stretched out his hand over proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing praises to the the sea, and at dawn the sea returned to its normal LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this be known in depth. As the Egyptians fled before it, the LORD tossed all the earth. Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion, the Egyptians into the sea. The waters returned and for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel. covered the chariots and the chariot drivers, the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea; Isaiah 55:1-11 Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the not one of them remained. But the Israelites walked on waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and dry ground through the sea, the waters forming a wall eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and for them on their right and on their left. Thus the LORD without price. Why do you spend your money for that saved Israel that day from the Egyptians; and Israel saw which is not bread, and your labor for that which does the Egyptians dead on the seashore. Israel saw the not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is great work that the LORD did against the Egyptians. So good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your the people feared the LORD and believed in the LORD ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live. I will and in his servant Moses. Then the prophet Miriam, make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, Aaron's sister, took a tambourine in her hand; and all sure love for David. See, I made him a witness to the the women went out after her with tambourines and peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples. See, with dancing. And Miriam sang to them "Sing to the you shall call nations that you do not know, and nations LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; horse and rider that do not know you shall run to you, because of the he has thrown into the sea." LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you. Seek the LORD while he may be found, Exodus 15:1b-13, 17-18 "I will sing to the LORD, for call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake he has triumphed gloriously; horse and rider he has their way, and the unrighteous their thoughts; let them thrown into the sea. The LORD is my strength and my return to the LORD, that he may have mercy on them, might, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my him. The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is his name. ways, says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher Pharaoh's chariots and his army he cast into the sea; than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways his picked officers were sunk in the Red Sea. The floods and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain covered them; they went down into the depths like a and the snow come down from heaven, and do not stone. Your right hand, O LORD, glorious in power-- your return there until they have watered the earth, making right hand, O LORD, shattered the enemy. In the it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and greatness of your majesty you overthrew your bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out adversaries; you sent out your fury, it consumed them from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it like stubble. At the blast of your nostrils the waters shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in ❖ The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the thing for which I sent it. the firmament proclaims his handiwork. ❖ Day to day pours forth speech, and night to Baruch 3:9-15, 3:32-4:4 Hear the commandments night declares knowledge. of life, O Israel; give ear, and learn wisdom! Why is it, O ❖ There is no speech, nor are there words; their Israel, why is it that you are in the land of your enemies, voice is not heard; that you are growing old in a foreign country, that you ❖ yet their voice goes out through all the earth, are defiled with the dead, that you are counted among and their words to the end of the world. In the those in Hades? You have forsaken the fountain of heavens he has set a tent for the sun, wisdom. If you had walked in the way of God, you would ❖ which comes out like a bridegroom from his be dwelling in peace for ever. Learn where there is wedding canopy, and like a strong man runs its wisdom, where there is strength, where there is course with joy. understanding, that you may at the same time discern ❖ Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its where there is length of days, and life, where there is circuit to the end of them; and nothing is hid light for the eyes, and peace. Who has found her place? from its heat. And who has entered her storehouses? But the one ❖ The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the who knows all things knows her, he found her by his soul; the decrees of the LORD are sure, making understanding. He who prepared the earth for all time wise the simple; filled it with four-footed creatures; the one who sends ❖ the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the forth the light, and it goes; he called it, and it obeyed heart; the commandment of the LORD is clear, him, trembling; the stars shone in their watches, and enlightening the eyes; were glad; he called them, and they said, "Here we are!" ❖ the fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; They shone with gladness for him who made them. This the ordinances of the LORD are true and is our God; no other can be compared to him! He found righteous altogether. the whole way to knowledge, and gave her to Jacob his ❖ More to be desired are they than gold, even servant and to Israel whom he loved. Afterward she much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and appeared upon earth and lived with humankind. She is drippings of the honeycomb. the book of the commandments of God, the law that ❖ Moreover by them is your servant warned; in endures for ever. All who hold her fast will live, and keeping them there is great reward. those who forsake her will die. Turn, O Jacob, and take ❖ But who can detect their errors? Clear me from her; walk toward the shining of her light. Do not give hidden faults. your glory to another, or your advantages to an alien ❖ Keep back your servant also from the insolent; people. Happy are we, O Israel, for we know what is do not let them have dominion over me. Then I pleasing to God. shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. Proverbs 8:1-8, 19-21; 9:4b-6 Does not wisdom ❖ Let the words of my mouth and the meditation call, and does not understanding raise her voice? On of my heart be acceptable to you, O LORD, my the heights, beside the way, at the crossroads she rock and my redeemer. takes her stand; beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries out "To you, O Ezekiel 36:24-28 I will take you from the nations, people, I call, and my cry is to all that live. O simple and gather you from all the countries, and bring you ones, learn prudence; acquire intelligence, you who into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water upon you, lack it. Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, lips will come what is right; for my mouth will utter truth; and from all your idols I will cleanse you. A new heart I wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing twisted or will remove from your body the heart of stone and give crooked in them. My fruit is better than gold, even fine you a heart of flesh. I will put my spirit within you, and gold, and my yield than choice silver. I walk in the way make you follow my statutes and be careful to observe of righteousness, along the paths of justice, endowing my ordinances. Then you shall live in the land that I with wealth those who love me, and filling their gave to your ancestors; and you shall be my people, treasuries. b To those without sense she says, "Come, and I will be your God. eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. Lay aside immaturity, and live, and walk in the way of Psalm 42, 43 insight." ❖ As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. Psalm 19 ❖ My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God? ❖ My tears have been my food day and night, come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath while people say to me continually, "Where is in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am your God?" the LORD.” So I prophesied as I had been commanded; ❖ These things I remember, as I pour out my soul and as I prophesied, suddenly there was a noise, a how I went with the throng, and led them in rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. procession to the house of God, with glad I looked, and there were sinews on them, and flesh had shouts and songs of thanksgiving, a multitude come upon them, and skin had covered them; but there keeping festival. was no breath in them. Then he said to me, "Prophesy ❖ Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are to the breath, prophesy, mortal, and say to the breath you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I Thus says the Lord GOD Come from the four winds, O shall again praise him, my help breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may ❖ and my God. My soul is cast down within me; live.” I prophesied as he commanded me, and the therefore I remember you from the land of breath came into them, and they lived, and stood on Jordan and of Hermon, from Mount Mizar. their feet, a vast multitude. Then he said to me, "Mortal, ❖ Deep calls to deep at the thunder of your these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, cataracts; all your waves and your billows have 'Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are gone over me. cut off completely.’ Therefore prophesy, and say to ❖ By day the LORD commands his steadfast love, them, Thus says the Lord GOD I am going to open your and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my God of my life. people; and I will bring you back to the land of Israel. ❖ I say to God, my rock, "Why have you forgotten And you shall know that I am the LORD, when I open me? Why must I walk about mournfully because your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my the enemy oppresses me?” people. I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live, ❖ As with a deadly wound in my body, my and I will place you on your own soil; then you shall adversaries taunt me, while they say to me know that I, the LORD, have spoken and will act," says continually, "Where is your God?” the LORD. ❖ Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I Psalm 143 shall again praise him, my help and my God. ❖ Hear my prayer, O LORD; give ear to my ❖ Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause supplications in your faithfulness; answer me in against an ungodly people; from those who are your righteousness. deceitful and unjust deliver me! ❖ Do not enter into judgment with your servant, ❖ For you are the God in whom I take refuge; why for no one living is righteous before you. have you cast me off? Why must I walk about ❖ For the enemy has pursued me, crushing my life mournfully because of the oppression of the to the ground, making me sit in darkness like enemy? those long dead. ❖ send out your light and your truth; let them lead ❖ Therefore my spirit faints within me; my heart me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to within me is appalled. your dwelling. ❖ I remember the days of old, I think about all ❖ Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my your deeds, I meditate on the works of your exceeding joy; and I will praise you with the hands. harp, O God, my God. ❖ I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for ❖ Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you like a parched land. Selah you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I ❖ Answer me quickly, O LORD; my spirit fails. Do shall again praise him, my help and my God. not hide your face from me, or I shall be like those who go down to the Pit. Ezekiel 37:1-14 The hand of the LORD came upon ❖ Let me hear of your steadfast love in the me, and he brought me out by the spirit of the LORD morning, for in you I put my trust. Teach me the and set me down in the middle of a valley; it was full of way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. bones. He led me all around them; there were very ❖ Save me, O LORD, from my enemies; I have fled many lying in the valley, and they were very dry. He said to you for refuge. to me, "Mortal, can these bones live?" I answered, "O ❖ Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Lord GOD, you know.” Then he said to me, "Prophesy to Let your good spirit lead me on a level path. these bones, and say to them O dry bones, hear the ❖ For your name's sake, O LORD, preserve my life. word of the LORD. Thus says the Lord GOD to these In your righteousness bring me out of trouble. bones I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. I will lay sinews on you, and will cause flesh to ❖ In your steadfast love cut off my enemies, and baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised destroy all my adversaries, for I am your from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too servant. might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be Zephaniah 3:14-20 Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O our old self was crucified with him so that the body of daughter Jerusalem! The LORD has taken away the sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be judgments against you, he has turned away your enslaved to sin. For whoever has died is freed from sin. enemies. The king of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will you shall fear disaster no more. On that day it shall be also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised said to Jerusalem Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has hands grow weak. The LORD, your God, is in your midst, dominion over him. The death he died, he died to sin, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. So you gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to you with loud singing as on a day of festival. I will God in Christ Jesus. remove disaster from you, so that you will not bear reproach for it. I will deal with all your oppressors at Psalm 114 When Israel went out from Egypt, the that time. And I will save the lame and gather the house of Jacob from a people of strange language, outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and Judah became God's sanctuary, Israel his dominion. renown in all the earth. At that time I will bring you The sea looked and fled; Jordan turned back. The home, at the time when I gather you; for I will make you mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs. Why renowned and praised among all the peoples of the is it, O sea, that you flee? O Jordan, that you turn back? earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes, O mountains, that you skip like rams? O hills, like says the LORD. lambs? Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the God of Jacob, who turns the rock Psalm 98 into a pool of water, the flint into a spring of water. ❖ O sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things. His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory. Gospel ❖ The LORD has made known his victory; he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the Matthew 28:1-10 After the sabbath, as the first day nations. of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the ❖ He has remembered his steadfast love and other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, of the earth have seen the victory of our God. descending from heaven, came and rolled back the ❖ Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, break forth into joyous song and sing praises. and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the ❖ Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, with the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel lyre and the sound of melody. said to the women, "Do not be afraid; I know that you ❖ With trumpets and the sound of the horn make are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; a joyful noise before the King, the LORD. for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place ❖ Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, 'He and those who live in it. has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ❖ Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.' This is together for joy my message for you.” So they left the tomb quickly with ❖ at the presence of the LORD, for he is coming to fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly judge the earth. He will judge the world with Jesus met them and said, "Greetings!" And they came righteousness, and the peoples with equity. to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me." ______This resource is an offering from The Vanderbilt Divinity Library at: http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu. New Revised Standard Version New Testament Reading and Psalm Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Romans 6:3-11 Do you not know that all of us who Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings copyright © Consultation on Common Texts admin. Augsburg Fortress. Reproduced by have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into permission. No further reproduction allowed without the written his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by permission of Augsburg Fortress. Image: Wikimedia, Mike Quinn EASTER VIGIL over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over April 12, 2020 every living thing that moves upon the earth.” God said, "See, Year A, Revised Common Lectionary I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you Old Testament Readings and Psalms shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the Genesis 1:1-2:4a In the beginning when God created the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given heavens and the earth. The earth was a formless void and every green plant for food." And it was so. God saw everything darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, "Let was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. Thus the there be light"; and there was light. And God saw that the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude. light was good; and God separated the light from the And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and the first day. And God said, "Let there be a dome in the midst hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” he had done in creation. These are the generations of the So God made the dome and separated the waters that were heavens and the earth when they were created. under the dome from the waters that were above the dome. And it was so. God called the dome Sky. And there was Psalm 136:1-9, 23-26 O give thanks to the LORD, for he evening and there was morning, the second day. And God is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. O give thanks said, "Let the waters under the sky be gathered together into to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever. O one place, and let the dry land appear." And it was so. God give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered endures forever; who alone does great wonders, for his together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good. Then steadfast love endures forever; who by understanding made God said, "Let the earth put forth vegetation plants yielding the heavens, for his steadfast love endures forever; who seed, and fruit trees of every kind on earth that bear fruit spread out the earth on the waters, for his steadfast love with the seed in it." And it was so. The earth brought forth endures forever; who made the great lights, for his steadfast vegetation plants yielding seed of every kind, and trees of love endures forever; the sun to rule over the day, for his every kind bearing fruit with the seed in it. And God saw that steadfast love endures forever; the moon and stars to rule it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, over the night, for his steadfast love endures forever; It is he the third day. And God said, "Let there be lights in the dome who remembered us in our low estate, for his steadfast love of the sky to separate the day from the night; and let them be endures forever; and rescued us from our foes, for his for signs and for seasons and for days and years, and let steadfast love endures forever; who gives food to all flesh, for them be lights in the dome of the sky to give light upon the his steadfast love endures forever. O give thanks to the God earth." And it was so. God made the two great lights--the of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever. greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night--and the stars. God set them in the dome of the sky to Genesis 7:1-5, 11-18; 8:6-18; 9:8-13 Then the LORD said give light upon the earth, to rule over the day and over the to Noah, "Go into the ark, you and all your household, for I night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God have seen that you alone are righteous before me in this saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was generation. Take with you seven pairs of all clean animals, morning, the fourth day. And God said, "Let the waters bring the male and its mate; and a pair of the animals that are not forth swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the clean, the male and its mate; and seven pairs of the birds of earth across the dome of the sky.” So God created the great the air also, male and female, to keep their kind alive on the sea monsters and every living creature that moves, of every face of all the earth. For in seven days I will send rain on the kind, with which the waters swarm, and every winged bird of earth for forty days and forty nights; and every living thing every kind. And God saw that it was good. God blessed them, that I have made I will blot out from the face of the ground.” saying, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the And Noah did all that the LORD had commanded him. In the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” And there was six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, on the evening and there was morning, the fifth day. And God said, seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains "Let the earth bring forth living creatures of every kind cattle of the great deep burst forth, and the windows of the and creeping things and wild animals of the earth of every heavens were opened. The rain fell on the earth forty days kind." And it was so. God made the wild animals of the earth and forty nights. On the very same day Noah with his sons, of every kind, and the cattle of every kind, and everything Shem and Ham and Japheth, and Noah's wife and the three that creeps upon the ground of every kind. And God saw that wives of his sons entered the ark, they and every wild animal it was good. Then God said, "Let us make humankind in our of every kind, and all domestic animals of every kind, and image, according to our likeness; and let them have every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, and every bird dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the of every kind--every bird, every winged creature. They went air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the into the ark with Noah, two and two of all flesh in which there earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the was the breath of life. And those that entered, male and earth.” So God created humankind in his image, in the image female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him; and of God he created them; male and female he created them. the LORD shut him in. The flood continued forty days on the God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and earth; and the waters increased, and bore up the ark, and it multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion rose high above the earth. The waters swelled and increased greatly on the earth; and the ark floated on the face of the of his young men with him, and his son Isaac; he cut the waters. At the end of forty days Noah opened the window of wood for the burnt offering, and set out and went to the place the ark that he had made and sent out the raven; and it in the distance that God had shown him. On the third day went to and fro until the waters were dried up from the earth. Abraham looked up and saw the place far away. Then Then he sent out the dove from him, to see if the waters had Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey; subsided from the face of the ground; but the dove found no the boy and I will go over there; we will worship, and then we place to set its foot, and it returned to him to the ark, for the will come back to you.” Abraham took the wood of the burnt waters were still on the face of the whole earth. So he put out offering and laid it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried his hand and took it and brought it into the ark with him. He the fire and the knife. So the two of them walked on together. waited another seven days, and again he sent out the dove Isaac said to his father Abraham, "Father!" And he said, "Here from the ark; and the dove came back to him in the evening, I am, my son." He said, "The fire and the wood are here, but and there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf; so where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham said, "God Noah knew that the waters had subsided from the earth. himself will provide the lamb for a burnt offering, my son." So Then he waited another seven days, and sent out the dove; the two of them walked on together. When they came to the and it did not return to him any more. In the six hundred first place that God had shown him, Abraham built an altar there year, in the first month, the first day of the month, the waters and laid the wood in order. He bound his son Isaac, and laid were dried up from the earth; and Noah removed the him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached covering of the ark, and looked, and saw that the face of the out his hand and took the knife to kill his son. But the angel ground was drying. In the second month, on the twenty- of the LORD called to him from heaven, and said, "Abraham, seventh day of the month, the earth was dry. Then God said Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am.” He said, "Do not lay your to Noah, "Go out of the ark, you and your wife, and your sons hand on the boy or do anything to him; for now I know that and your sons' wives with you. Bring out with you every living you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only thing that is with you of all flesh--birds and animals and every son, from me.” And Abraham looked up and saw a ram, creeping thing that creeps on the earth--so that they may caught in a thicket by its horns. Abraham went and took the abound on the earth, and be fruitful and multiply on the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. earth.” So Noah went out with his sons and his wife and his So Abraham called that place "The LORD will provide"; as it is sons' wives. Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, said to this day, "On the mount of the LORD it shall be "As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your provided.” The angel of the LORD called to Abraham a descendants after you, and with every living creature that is second time from heaven, and said, "By myself I have sworn, with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal says the LORD Because you have done this, and have not of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark. I withheld your son, your only son, I will indeed bless you, and I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all will make your offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” God said, "This is shall possess the gate of their enemies, and by your offspring the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you shall all the nations of the earth gain blessing for themselves, and every living creature that is with you, for all future because you have obeyed my voice." generations I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Psalm 16 Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the LORD, "You are my Lord; I have no good apart from Psalm 46 God is our refuge and strength, a very present you.” As for the holy ones in the land, they are the noble, in help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth whom is all my delight. Those who choose another god should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of multiply their sorrows; their drink offerings of blood I will not the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the pour out or take their names upon my lips. The LORD is my mountains tremble with its tumult. Selah There is a river chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The boundary whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; I have a goodly of the Most High. God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be heritage. I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night moved; God will help it when the morning dawns. The nations also my heart instructs me. I keep the LORD always before are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. earth melts. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body our refuge. Selah Come, behold the works of the LORD; see also rests secure. For you do not give me up to Sheol, or let what desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes your faithful one see the Pit. You show me the path of life. In wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. "Be still, pleasures forevermore. and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth.” The LORD of hosts is with us; the Exodus 14:10-31; 15:20-21 As Pharaoh drew near, the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah Israelites looked back, and there were the Egyptians advancing on them. In great fear the Israelites cried out to Genesis 22:1-18 After these things God tested Abraham. the LORD. They said to Moses, "Was it because there were no He said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am.” He said, graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to wilderness? What have you done to us, bringing us out of the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on Egypt? Is this not the very thing we told you in Egypt, 'Let us one of the mountains that I shall show you.” So Abraham alone and let us serve the Egyptians'? For it would have been rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” But Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid, you sent out your fury, it consumed them like stubble. At the stand firm, and see the deliverance that the LORD will blast of your nostrils the waters piled up, the floods stood up accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you see in a heap; the deeps congealed in the heart of the sea. The today you shall never see again. The LORD will fight for you, enemy said, 'I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the and you have only to keep still.” Then the LORD said to spoil, my desire shall have its fill of them. I will draw my Moses, "Why do you cry out to me? Tell the Israelites to go sword, my hand shall destroy them.’ You blew with your wind, forward. But you lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand the sea covered them; they sank like lead in the mighty over the sea and divide it, that the Israelites may go into the waters. Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is sea on dry ground. Then I will harden the hearts of the like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in splendor, doing Egyptians so that they will go in after them; and so I will gain wonders? You stretched out your right hand, the earth glory for myself over Pharaoh and all his army, his chariots, swallowed them. In your steadfast love you led the people and his chariot drivers. And the Egyptians shall know that I whom you redeemed; you guided them by your strength to am the LORD, when I have gained glory for myself over your holy abode. You brought them in and planted them on Pharaoh, his chariots, and his chariot drivers.” The angel of the mountain of your own possession, the place, O LORD, God who was going before the Israelite army moved and went that you made your abode, the sanctuary, O LORD, that your behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from in front of hands have established. The LORD will reign forever and them and took its place behind them. It came between the ever." army of Egypt and the army of Israel. And so the cloud was there with the darkness, and it lit up the night; one did not Isaiah 12:2-6 Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and come near the other all night. Then Moses stretched out his will not be afraid, for the LORD GOD is my strength and my hand over the sea. The LORD drove the sea back by a strong might; he has become my salvation. With joy you will draw east wind all night, and turned the sea into dry land; and the water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that day waters were divided. The Israelites went into the sea on dry Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known his ground, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and deeds among the nations; proclaim that his name is exalted. on their left. The Egyptians pursued, and went into the sea Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this after them, all of Pharaoh's horses, chariots, and chariot be known in all the earth. Shout aloud and sing for joy, O drivers. At the morning watch the LORD in the pillar of fire royal Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel. and cloud looked down upon the Egyptian army, and threw the Egyptian army into panic. He clogged their chariot wheels Isaiah 55:1-11 Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the so that they turned with difficulty. The Egyptians said, "Let us waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! flee from the Israelites, for the LORD is fighting for them Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. against Egypt.” Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, your hand over the sea, so that the water may come back and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots and chariot drivers.” carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at dawn in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that the sea returned to its normal depth. As the Egyptians fled you may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my before it, the LORD tossed the Egyptians into the sea. The steadfast, sure love for David. See, I made him a witness to waters returned and covered the chariots and the chariot the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples. See, drivers, the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed them you shall call nations that you do not know, and nations that into the sea; not one of them remained. But the Israelites do not know you shall run to you, because of the LORD your walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters forming a God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you. Seek the wall for them on their right and on their left. Thus the LORD LORD while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; saved Israel that day from the Egyptians; and Israel saw the let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their Egyptians dead on the seashore. Israel saw the great work thoughts; let them return to the LORD, that he may have that the LORD did against the Egyptians. So the people mercy on them, and to our God, for he will abundantly feared the LORD and believed in the LORD and in his servant pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your Moses. Then the prophet Miriam, Aaron's sister, took a ways my ways, says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my her with tambourines and with dancing. And Miriam sang to thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain and the snow them "Sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; come down from heaven, and do not return there until they horse and rider he has thrown into the sea." have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my Exodus 15:1b-13, 17-18 "I will sing to the LORD, for he word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to has triumphed gloriously; horse and rider he has thrown into me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and the sea. The LORD is my strength and my might, and he has succeed in the thing for which I sent it. become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him. The LORD is a warrior; Baruch 3:9-15, 3:32-4:4 Hear the commandments of life, the LORD is his name. Pharaoh's chariots and his army he O Israel; give ear, and learn wisdom! Why is it, O Israel, why is cast into the sea; his picked officers were sunk in the Red it that you are in the land of your enemies, that you are Sea. The floods covered them; they went down into the growing old in a foreign country, that you are defiled with the depths like a stone. Your right hand, O LORD, glorious in dead, that you are counted among those in Hades? You power-- your right hand, O LORD, shattered the enemy. In the have forsaken the fountain of wisdom. If you had walked in greatness of your majesty you overthrew your adversaries; the way of God, you would be dwelling in peace for ever. Learn where there is wisdom, where there is strength, where meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O LORD, my there is understanding, that you may at the same time rock and my redeemer. discern where there is length of days, and life, where there is light for the eyes, and peace. Who has found her place? And Ezekiel 36:24-28 I will take you from the nations, and who has entered her storehouses? But the one who knows gather you from all the countries, and bring you into your own all things knows her, he found her by his understanding. He land. I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be who prepared the earth for all time filled it with four-footed clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I creatures; the one who sends forth the light, and it goes; he will cleanse you. A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I called it, and it obeyed him, trembling; the stars shone in will put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart their watches, and were glad; he called them, and they said, of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my spirit "Here we are!" They shone with gladness for him who made within you, and make you follow my statutes and be careful them. This is our God; no other can be compared to him! He to observe my ordinances. Then you shall live in the land that found the whole way to knowledge, and gave her to Jacob his I gave to your ancestors; and you shall be my people, and I servant and to Israel whom he loved. Afterward she appeared will be your God. upon earth and lived with humankind. She is the book of the commandments of God, the law that endures for ever. All Psalm 42, 43 As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my who hold her fast will live, and those who forsake her will die. soul longs for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the Turn, O Jacob, and take her; walk toward the shining of her living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God? light. Do not give your glory to another, or your advantages to My tears have been my food day and night, while people say an alien people. Happy are we, O Israel, for we know what is to me continually, "Where is your God?” These things I pleasing to God. remember, as I pour out my soul how I went with the throng, and led them in procession to the house of God, with glad Proverbs 8:1-8, 19-21; 9:4b-6 Does not wisdom call, and shouts and songs of thanksgiving, a multitude keeping does not understanding raise her voice? On the heights, festival. Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand; disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the him, my help and my God. My soul is cast down within me; portals she cries out "To you, O people, I call, and my cry is therefore I remember you from the land of Jordan and of to all that live. O simple ones, learn prudence; acquire Hermon, from Mount Mizar. Deep calls to deep at the intelligence, you who lack it. Hear, for I will speak noble thunder of your cataracts; all your waves and your billows things, and from my lips will come what is right; for my mouth have gone over me. By day the LORD commands his will utter truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing twisted the God of my life. I say to God, my rock, "Why have you or crooked in them. My fruit is better than gold, even fine forgotten me? Why must I walk about mournfully because the gold, and my yield than choice silver. I walk in the way of enemy oppresses me?” As with a deadly wound in my body, righteousness, along the paths of justice, endowing with my adversaries taunt me, while they say to me continually, wealth those who love me, and filling their treasuries. b To "Where is your God?” Why are you cast down, O my soul, and those without sense she says, "Come, eat of my bread and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall drink of the wine I have mixed. Lay aside immaturity, and live, again praise him, my help and my God. Vindicate me, O God, and walk in the way of insight." and defend my cause against an ungodly people; from those who are deceitful and unjust deliver me! For you are the God Psalm 19 The heavens are telling the glory of God; and in whom I take refuge; why have you cast me off? Why must I the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours walk about mournfully because of the oppression of the forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. There is enemy? O send out your light and your truth; let them lead no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; yet me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling. their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; the end of the world. In the heavens he has set a tent for the and I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God. Why are sun, which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within canopy, and like a strong man runs its course with joy. Its me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the my God. end of them; and nothing is hid from its heat. The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the LORD Ezekiel 37:1-14 The hand of the LORD came upon me, are sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD and he brought me out by the spirit of the LORD and set me are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD down in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me is clear, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is pure, all around them; there were very many lying in the valley, and enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD are true and they were very dry. He said to me, "Mortal, can these bones righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, live?" I answered, "O Lord GOD, you know.” Then he said to even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and drippings me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them O dry bones, of the honeycomb. Moreover by them is your servant warned; hear the word of the LORD. Thus says the Lord GOD to these in keeping them there is great reward. But who can detect bones I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. I will their errors? Clear me from hidden faults. Keep back your lay sinews on you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, servant also from the insolent; do not let them have and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of live; and you shall know that I am the LORD.” So I prophesied great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the as I had been commanded; and as I prophesied, suddenly there was a noise, a rattling, and the bones came together, gotten him victory. The LORD has made known his victory; he bone to its bone. I looked, and there were sinews on them, has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations. He and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them; has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the but there was no breath in them. Then he said to me, house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the "Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, mortal, and say to the victory of our God. Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the breath Thus says the Lord GOD Come from the four winds, O earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises. Sing breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.” I praises to the LORD with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into of melody. With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a them, and they lived, and stood on their feet, a vast joyful noise before the King, the LORD. Let the sea roar, and multitude. Then he said to me, "Mortal, these bones are the all that fills it; the world and those who live in it. Let the whole house of Israel. They say, 'Our bones are dried up, and floods clap their hands; let the hills sing together for joy at our hope is lost; we are cut off completely.’ Therefore the presence of the LORD, for he is coming to judge the prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD I am earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the going to open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, peoples with equity. O my people; and I will bring you back to the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people. I will New Testament Reading and Psalm put my spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you on your own soil; then you shall know that I, the LORD, Romans 6:3-11 Do you not know that all of us who have have spoken and will act," says the LORD. been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into Psalm 143 Hear my prayer, O LORD; give ear to my death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the supplications in your faithfulness; answer me in your glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. righteousness. Do not enter into judgment with your servant, For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we for no one living is righteous before you. For the enemy has will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We pursued me, crushing my life to the ground, making me sit in know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body darkness like those long dead. Therefore my spirit faints of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be within me; my heart within me is appalled. I remember the enslaved to sin. For whoever has died is freed from sin. But if days of old, I think about all your deeds, I meditate on the we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with works of your hands. I stretch out my hands to you; my soul him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah Answer me quickly, never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The O LORD; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me, or I death he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he shall be like those who go down to the Pit. Let me hear of lives, he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves your steadfast love in the morning, for in you I put my trust. dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Teach me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Save me, O LORD, from my enemies; I have fled to you for Psalm 114 When Israel went out from Egypt, the house of refuge. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Let your Jacob from a people of strange language, Judah became good spirit lead me on a level path. For your name's sake, O God's sanctuary, Israel his dominion. The sea looked and LORD, preserve my life. In your righteousness bring me out of fled; Jordan turned back. The mountains skipped like rams, trouble. In your steadfast love cut off my enemies, and the hills like lambs. Why is it, O sea, that you flee? O Jordan, destroy all my adversaries, for I am your servant. that you turn back? O mountains, that you skip like rams? O hills, like lambs? Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Zephaniah 3:14-20 Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O LORD, at the presence of the God of Jacob, who turns the Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter rock into a pool of water, the flint into a spring of water. Jerusalem! The LORD has taken away the judgments against you, he has turned away your enemies. The king of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; you shall fear disaster no more. On Gospel that day it shall be said to Jerusalem Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands grow weak. The LORD, your God, is in your Matthew 28:1-10 After the sabbath, as the first day of the midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great you with loud singing as on a day of festival. I will remove earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from disaster from you, so that you will not bear reproach for it. I heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His will deal with all your oppressors at that time. And I will save appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like shame into praise and renown in all the earth. At that time I dead men. But the angel said to the women, "Do not be will bring you home, at the time when I gather you; for I will afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes, says Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell the LORD. his disciples, 'He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.' Psalm 98 O sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done This is my message for you.” So they left the tomb quickly marvelous things. His right hand and his holy arm have with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, "Greetings!" And they came to him, Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings copyright © Consultation them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to on Common Texts admin. Augsburg Fortress. Reproduced by Galilee; there they will see me." permission. No further reproduction allowed without the written ______permission of Augsburg Fortress. This resource is an offering from The Vanderbilt Divinity Library at: http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu. New Revised Standard Version EASTER VIGIL the earth across the dome of the sky.” Psalm 136:1-9, 23-26 O give April 12, 2020 So God created the great sea monsters thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for Year A, Revised Common Lectionary and every living creature that moves, his steadfast love endures forever. O of every kind, with which the waters give thanks to the God of gods, for his Old Testament Readings and Psalms swarm, and every winged bird of every steadfast love endures forever. O give kind. And God saw that it was good. thanks to the Lord of lords, for his Genesis 1:1-2:4a In the beginning God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful steadfast love endures forever; who when God created the heavens and and multiply and fill the waters in the alone does great wonders, for his the earth. The earth was a formless seas, and let birds multiply on the steadfast love endures forever; who by void and darkness covered the face of earth.” And there was evening and understanding made the heavens, for the deep, while a wind from God swept there was morning, the fifth day. And his steadfast love endures forever; over the face of the waters. Then God God said, "Let the earth bring forth who spread out the earth on the said, "Let there be light"; and there was living creatures of every kind cattle and waters, for his steadfast love endures light. And God saw that the light was creeping things and wild animals of the forever; who made the great lights, for good; and God separated the light from earth of every kind." And it was so. God his steadfast love endures forever; the the darkness. God called the light Day, made the wild animals of the earth of sun to rule over the day, for his and the darkness he called Night. And every kind, and the cattle of every kind, steadfast love endures forever; the there was evening and there was and everything that creeps upon the moon and stars to rule over the night, morning, the first day. And God said, ground of every kind. And God saw that for his steadfast love endures forever; "Let there be a dome in the midst of it was good. Then God said, "Let us It is he who remembered us in our low the waters, and let it separate the make humankind in our image, estate, for his steadfast love endures waters from the waters.” So God made according to our likeness; and let them forever; and rescued us from our foes, the dome and separated the waters have dominion over the fish of the sea, for his steadfast love endures forever; that were under the dome from the and over the birds of the air, and over who gives food to all flesh, for his waters that were above the dome. And the cattle, and over all the wild animals steadfast love endures forever. O give it was so. God called the dome Sky. of the earth, and over every creeping thanks to the God of heaven, for his And there was evening and there was thing that creeps upon the earth.” So steadfast love endures forever. morning, the second day. And God God created humankind in his image, said, "Let the waters under the sky be in the image of God he created them; Genesis 7:1-5, 11-18; 8:6-18; 9:8-13 gathered together into one place, and male and female he created them. God Then the LORD said to Noah, "Go into let the dry land appear." And it was so. blessed them, and God said to them, the ark, you and all your household, for God called the dry land Earth, and the "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the I have seen that you alone are waters that were gathered together he earth and subdue it; and have righteous before me in this generation. called Seas. And God saw that it was dominion over the fish of the sea and Take with you seven pairs of all clean good. Then God said, "Let the earth put over the birds of the air and over every animals, the male and its mate; and a forth vegetation plants yielding seed, living thing that moves upon the pair of the animals that are not clean, and fruit trees of every kind on earth earth.” God said, "See, I have given you the male and its mate; and seven pairs that bear fruit with the seed in it." And every plant yielding seed that is upon of the birds of the air also, male and it was so. The earth brought forth the face of all the earth, and every tree female, to keep their kind alive on the vegetation plants yielding seed of with seed in its fruit; you shall have face of all the earth. For in seven days I every kind, and trees of every kind them for food. And to every beast of will send rain on the earth for forty bearing fruit with the seed in it. And the earth, and to every bird of the air, days and forty nights; and every living God saw that it was good. And there and to everything that creeps on the thing that I have made I will blot out was evening and there was morning, earth, everything that has the breath of from the face of the ground.” And Noah the third day. And God said, "Let there life, I have given every green plant for did all that the LORD had commanded be lights in the dome of the sky to food." And it was so. God saw him. In the six hundredth year of separate the day from the night; and everything that he had made, and Noah's life, in the second month, on let them be for signs and for seasons indeed, it was very good. And there the seventeenth day of the month, on and for days and years, and let them was evening and there was morning, that day all the fountains of the great be lights in the dome of the sky to give the sixth day. Thus the heavens and deep burst forth, and the windows of light upon the earth." And it was so. the earth were finished, and all their the heavens were opened. The rain fell God made the two great lights--the multitude. And on the seventh day God on the earth forty days and forty nights. greater light to rule the day and the finished the work that he had done, On the very same day Noah with his lesser light to rule the night--and the and he rested on the seventh day from sons, Shem and Ham and Japheth, stars. God set them in the dome of the all the work that he had done. So God and Noah's wife and the three wives of sky to give light upon the earth, to rule blessed the seventh day and hallowed his sons entered the ark, they and over the day and over the night, and to it, because on it God rested from all every wild animal of every kind, and all separate the light from the darkness. the work that he had done in creation. domestic animals of every kind, and And God saw that it was good. And These are the generations of the every creeping thing that creeps on the there was evening and there was heavens and the earth when they were earth, and every bird of every kind-- morning, the fourth day. And God said, created. every bird, every winged creature. They "Let the waters bring forth swarms of went into the ark with Noah, two and living creatures, and let birds fly above two of all flesh in which there was the breath of life. And those that entered, that I make between me and you and the lamb for a burnt offering?” male and female of all flesh, went in as every living creature that is with you, Abraham said, "God himself will God had commanded him; and the for all future generations I have set provide the lamb for a burnt offering, LORD shut him in. The flood continued my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a my son." So the two of them walked on forty days on the earth; and the waters sign of the covenant between me and together. When they came to the place increased, and bore up the ark, and it the earth. that God had shown him, Abraham rose high above the earth. The waters built an altar there and laid the wood swelled and increased greatly on the Psalm 46 God is our refuge and in order. He bound his son Isaac, and earth; and the ark floated on the face strength, a very present help in trouble. laid him on the altar, on top of the of the waters. At the end of forty days Therefore we will not fear, though the wood. Then Abraham reached out his Noah opened the window of the ark earth should change, though the hand and took the knife to kill his son. that he had made and sent out the mountains shake in the heart of the But the angel of the LORD called to raven; and it went to and fro until the sea; though its waters roar and foam, him from heaven, and said, "Abraham, waters were dried up from the earth. though the mountains tremble with its Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am.” Then he sent out the dove from him, to tumult. Selah There is a river whose He said, "Do not lay your hand on the see if the waters had subsided from streams make glad the city of God, the boy or do anything to him; for now I the face of the ground; but the dove holy habitation of the Most High. God know that you fear God, since you have found no place to set its foot, and it is in the midst of the city; it shall not be not withheld your son, your only son, returned to him to the ark, for the moved; God will help it when the from me.” And Abraham looked up and waters were still on the face of the morning dawns. The nations are in an saw a ram, caught in a thicket by its whole earth. So he put out his hand uproar, the kingdoms totter; he utters horns. Abraham went and took the ram and took it and brought it into the ark his voice, the earth melts. The LORD of and offered it up as a burnt offering with him. He waited another seven hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is instead of his son. So Abraham called days, and again he sent out the dove our refuge. Selah Come, behold the that place "The LORD will provide"; as it from the ark; and the dove came back works of the LORD; see what is said to this day, "On the mount of to him in the evening, and there in its desolations he has brought on the the LORD it shall be provided.” The beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf; earth. He makes wars cease to the end angel of the LORD called to Abraham a so Noah knew that the waters had of the earth; he breaks the bow, and second time from heaven, and said, subsided from the earth. Then he shatters the spear; he burns the "By myself I have sworn, says the LORD waited another seven days, and sent shields with fire. "Be still, and know Because you have done this, and have out the dove; and it did not return to that I am God! I am exalted among the not withheld your son, your only son, I him any more. In the six hundred first nations, I am exalted in the earth.” The will indeed bless you, and I will make year, in the first month, the first day of LORD of hosts is with us; the God of your offspring as numerous as the the month, the waters were dried up Jacob is our refuge. Selah stars of heaven and as the sand that is from the earth; and Noah removed the on the seashore. And your offspring covering of the ark, and looked, and Genesis 22:1-18 After these things shall possess the gate of their saw that the face of the ground was God tested Abraham. He said to him, enemies, and by your offspring shall all drying. In the second month, on the "Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am.” the nations of the earth gain blessing twenty-seventh day of the month, the He said, "Take your son, your only son for themselves, because you have earth was dry. Then God said to Noah, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the obeyed my voice." "Go out of the ark, you and your wife, land of Moriah, and offer him there as and your sons and your sons' wives a burnt offering on one of the Psalm 16 Protect me, O God, for in with you. Bring out with you every living mountains that I shall show you.” So you I take refuge. I say to the LORD, thing that is with you of all flesh--birds Abraham rose early in the morning, "You are my Lord; I have no good apart and animals and every creeping thing saddled his donkey, and took two of from you.” As for the holy ones in the that creeps on the earth--so that they his young men with him, and his son land, they are the noble, in whom is all may abound on the earth, and be Isaac; he cut the wood for the burnt my delight. Those who choose another fruitful and multiply on the earth.” So offering, and set out and went to the god multiply their sorrows; their drink Noah went out with his sons and his place in the distance that God had offerings of blood I will not pour out or wife and his sons' wives. Then God shown him. On the third day Abraham take their names upon my lips. The said to Noah and to his sons with him, looked up and saw the place far away. LORD is my chosen portion and my "As for me, I am establishing my Then Abraham said to his young men, cup; you hold my lot. The boundary covenant with you and your "Stay here with the donkey; the boy lines have fallen for me in pleasant descendants after you, and with every and I will go over there; we will places; I have a goodly heritage. I bless living creature that is with you, the worship, and then we will come back to the LORD who gives me counsel; in the birds, the domestic animals, and every you.” Abraham took the wood of the night also my heart instructs me. I animal of the earth with you, as many burnt offering and laid it on his son keep the LORD always before me; as came out of the ark. I establish my Isaac, and he himself carried the fire because he is at my right hand, I shall covenant with you, that never again and the knife. So the two of them not be moved. Therefore my heart is shall all flesh be cut off by the waters walked on together. Isaac said to his glad, and my soul rejoices; my body of a flood, and never again shall there father Abraham, "Father!" And he said, also rests secure. For you do not give be a flood to destroy the earth.” God "Here I am, my son." He said, "The fire me up to Sheol, or let your faithful one said, "This is the sign of the covenant and the wood are here, but where is see the Pit. You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness army, and threw the Egyptian army into them. I will draw my sword, my hand of joy; in your right hand are pleasures panic. He clogged their chariot wheels shall destroy them.’ You blew with your forevermore. so that they turned with difficulty. The wind, the sea covered them; they sank Egyptians said, "Let us flee from the like lead in the mighty waters. Who is Exodus 14:10-31; 15:20-21 As Israelites, for the LORD is fighting for like you, O LORD, among the gods? Pharaoh drew near, the Israelites them against Egypt.” Then the LORD Who is like you, majestic in holiness, looked back, and there were the said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand awesome in splendor, doing wonders? Egyptians advancing on them. In great over the sea, so that the water may You stretched out your right hand, the fear the Israelites cried out to the come back upon the Egyptians, upon earth swallowed them. In your LORD. They said to Moses, "Was it their chariots and chariot drivers.” So steadfast love you led the people because there were no graves in Egypt Moses stretched out his hand over the whom you redeemed; you guided them that you have taken us away to die in sea, and at dawn the sea returned to by your strength to your holy abode. the wilderness? What have you done to its normal depth. As the Egyptians fled You brought them in and planted them us, bringing us out of Egypt? Is this before it, the LORD tossed the on the mountain of your own not the very thing we told you in Egypt, Egyptians into the sea. The waters possession, the place, O LORD, that 'Let us alone and let us serve the returned and covered the chariots and you made your abode, the sanctuary, O Egyptians'? For it would have been the chariot drivers, the entire army of LORD, that your hands have better for us to serve the Egyptians Pharaoh that had followed them into established. The LORD will reign than to die in the wilderness.” But the sea; not one of them remained. forever and ever." Moses said to the people, "Do not be But the Israelites walked on dry ground afraid, stand firm, and see the through the sea, the waters forming a Isaiah 12:2-6 Surely God is my deliverance that the LORD will wall for them on their right and on their salvation; I will trust, and will not be accomplish for you today; for the left. Thus the LORD saved Israel that afraid, for the LORD GOD is my Egyptians whom you see today you day from the Egyptians; and Israel saw strength and my might; he has become shall never see again. The LORD will the Egyptians dead on the seashore. my salvation. With joy you will draw fight for you, and you have only to keep Israel saw the great work that the water from the wells of salvation. And still.” Then the LORD said to Moses, LORD did against the Egyptians. So the you will say in that day Give thanks to "Why do you cry out to me? Tell the people feared the LORD and believed the LORD, call on his name; make Israelites to go forward. But you lift up in the LORD and in his servant Moses. known his deeds among the nations; your staff, and stretch out your hand Then the prophet Miriam, Aaron's proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing over the sea and divide it, that the sister, took a tambourine in her hand; praises to the LORD, for he has done Israelites may go into the sea on dry and all the women went out after her gloriously; let this be known in all the ground. Then I will harden the hearts of with tambourines and with dancing. earth. Shout aloud and sing for joy, O the Egyptians so that they will go in And Miriam sang to them "Sing to the royal Zion, for great in your midst is the after them; and so I will gain glory for LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; Holy One of Israel. myself over Pharaoh and all his army, horse and rider he has thrown into the his chariots, and his chariot drivers. sea." Isaiah 55:1-11 Ho, everyone who And the Egyptians shall know that I am thirsts, come to the waters; and you the LORD, when I have gained glory for Exodus 15:1b-13, 17-18 "I will sing that have no money, come, buy and myself over Pharaoh, his chariots, and to the LORD, for he has triumphed eat! Come, buy wine and milk without his chariot drivers.” The angel of God gloriously; horse and rider he has money and without price. Why do you who was going before the Israelite thrown into the sea. The LORD is my spend your money for that which is not army moved and went behind them; strength and my might, and he has bread, and your labor for that which and the pillar of cloud moved from in become my salvation; this is my God, does not satisfy? Listen carefully to front of them and took its place behind and I will praise him, my father's God, me, and eat what is good, and delight them. It came between the army of and I will exalt him. The LORD is a yourselves in rich food. Incline your Egypt and the army of Israel. And so warrior; the LORD is his name. ear, and come to me; listen, so that the cloud was there with the darkness, Pharaoh's chariots and his army he you may live. I will make with you an and it lit up the night; one did not come cast into the sea; his picked officers everlasting covenant, my steadfast, near the other all night. Then Moses were sunk in the Red Sea. The floods sure love for David. See, I made him a stretched out his hand over the sea. covered them; they went down into the witness to the peoples, a leader and The LORD drove the sea back by a depths like a stone. Your right hand, O commander for the peoples. See, you strong east wind all night, and turned LORD, glorious in power-- your right shall call nations that you do not know, the sea into dry land; and the waters hand, O LORD, shattered the enemy. In and nations that do not know you shall were divided. The Israelites went into the greatness of your majesty you run to you, because of the LORD your the sea on dry ground, the waters overthrew your adversaries; you sent God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has forming a wall for them on their right out your fury, it consumed them like glorified you. Seek the LORD while he and on their left. The Egyptians stubble. At the blast of your nostrils the may be found, call upon him while he pursued, and went into the sea after waters piled up, the floods stood up in is near; let the wicked forsake their them, all of Pharaoh's horses, chariots, a heap; the deeps congealed in the way, and the unrighteous their and chariot drivers. At the morning heart of the sea. The enemy said, 'I will thoughts; let them return to the LORD, watch the LORD in the pillar of fire and pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the that he may have mercy on them, and cloud looked down upon the Egyptian spoil, my desire shall have its fill of to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your Proverbs 8:1-8, 19-21; 9:4b-6 Does great transgression. Let the words of thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, not wisdom call, and does not my mouth and the meditation of my says the LORD. For as the heavens are understanding raise her voice? On heart be acceptable to you, O LORD, higher than the earth, so are my ways the heights, beside the way, at the my rock and my redeemer. higher than your ways and my thoughts crossroads she takes her stand; beside than your thoughts. For as the rain and the gates in front of the town, at the Ezekiel 36:24-28 I will take you the snow come down from heaven, entrance of the portals she cries out from the nations, and gather you from and do not return there until they have "To you, O people, I call, and my cry is all the countries, and bring you into watered the earth, making it bring forth to all that live. O simple ones, learn your own land. I will sprinkle clean and sprout, giving seed to the sower prudence; acquire intelligence, you water upon you, and you shall be clean and bread to the eater, so shall my who lack it. Hear, for I will speak noble from all your uncleannesses, and from word be that goes out from my mouth; things, and from my lips will come what all your idols I will cleanse you. A new it shall not return to me empty, but it is right; for my mouth will utter truth; heart I will give you, and a new spirit I shall accomplish that which I purpose, wickedness is an abomination to my will put within you; and I will remove and succeed in the thing for which I lips. All the words of my mouth are from your body the heart of stone and sent it. righteous; there is nothing twisted or give you a heart of flesh. I will put my crooked in them. My fruit is better than spirit within you, and make you follow Baruch 3:9-15, 3:32-4:4 Hear the gold, even fine gold, and my yield than my statutes and be careful to observe commandments of life, O Israel; give choice silver. I walk in the way of my ordinances. Then you shall live in ear, and learn wisdom! Why is it, O righteousness, along the paths of the land that I gave to your ancestors; Israel, why is it that you are in the land justice, endowing with wealth those and you shall be my people, and I will of your enemies, that you are growing who love me, and filling their be your God. old in a foreign country, that you are treasuries. b To those without sense defiled with the dead, that you are she says, "Come, eat of my bread and Psalm 42, 43 As a deer longs for counted among those in Hades? You drink of the wine I have mixed. Lay flowing streams, so my soul longs for have forsaken the fountain of wisdom. aside immaturity, and live, and walk in you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for If you had walked in the way of God, the way of insight." the living God. When shall I come and you would be dwelling in peace for behold the face of God? My tears ever. Learn where there is wisdom, Psalm 19 The heavens are telling have been my food day and night, where there is strength, where there is the glory of God; and the firmament while people say to me continually, understanding, that you may at the proclaims his handiwork. Day to day "Where is your God?” These things I same time discern where there is pours forth speech, and night to night remember, as I pour out my soul how I length of days, and life, where there is declares knowledge. There is no went with the throng, and led them in light for the eyes, and peace. Who has speech, nor are there words; their procession to the house of God, with found her place? And who has entered voice is not heard; yet their voice goes glad shouts and songs of thanksgiving, her storehouses? But the one who out through all the earth, and their a multitude keeping festival. Why are knows all things knows her, he found words to the end of the world. In the you cast down, O my soul, and why are her by his understanding. He who heavens he has set a tent for the sun, you disquieted within me? Hope in prepared the earth for all time filled it which comes out like a bridegroom God; for I shall again praise him, my with four-footed creatures; the one from his wedding canopy, and like a help and my God. My soul is cast who sends forth the light, and it goes; strong man runs its course with joy. Its down within me; therefore I remember he called it, and it obeyed him, rising is from the end of the heavens, you from the land of Jordan and of trembling; the stars shone in their and its circuit to the end of them; and Hermon, from Mount Mizar. Deep calls watches, and were glad; he called nothing is hid from its heat. The law of to deep at the thunder of your them, and they said, "Here we are!" the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; cataracts; all your waves and your They shone with gladness for him who the decrees of the LORD are sure, billows have gone over me. By day the made them. This is our God; no other making wise the simple; the precepts LORD commands his steadfast love, can be compared to him! He found the of the LORD are right, rejoicing the and at night his song is with me, a whole way to knowledge, and gave her heart; the commandment of the LORD prayer to the God of my life. I say to to Jacob his servant and to Israel is clear, enlightening the eyes; the fear God, my rock, "Why have you forgotten whom he loved. Afterward she of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; me? Why must I walk about mournfully appeared upon earth and lived with the ordinances of the LORD are true because the enemy oppresses me?” humankind. She is the book of the and righteous altogether. More to be As with a deadly wound in my body, my commandments of God, the law that desired are they than gold, even much adversaries taunt me, while they say to endures for ever. All who hold her fast fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and me continually, "Where is your God?” will live, and those who forsake her will drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover Why are you cast down, O my soul, and die. Turn, O Jacob, and take her; walk by them is your servant warned; in why are you disquieted within me? toward the shining of her light. Do not keeping them there is great reward. Hope in God; for I shall again praise give your glory to another, or your But who can detect their errors? Clear him, my help and my God. Vindicate advantages to an alien people. Happy me from hidden faults. Keep back your me, O God, and defend my cause are we, O Israel, for we know what is servant also from the insolent; do not against an ungodly people; from those pleasing to God. let them have dominion over me. Then who are deceitful and unjust deliver I shall be blameless, and innocent of me! For you are the God in whom I take refuge; why have you cast me off? Why within you, and you shall live, and I will among all the peoples of the earth, must I walk about mournfully because place you on your own soil; then you when I restore your fortunes before of the oppression of the enemy? O shall know that I, the LORD, have your eyes, says the LORD. send out your light and your truth; let spoken and will act," says the LORD. them lead me; let them bring me to Psalm 98 O sing to the LORD a new your holy hill and to your dwelling. Then Psalm 143 Hear my prayer, O LORD; song, for he has done marvelous I will go to the altar of God, to God my give ear to my supplications in your things. His right hand and his holy arm exceeding joy; and I will praise you with faithfulness; answer me in your have gotten him victory. The LORD has the harp, O God, my God. Why are you righteousness. Do not enter into made known his victory; he has cast down, O my soul, and why are you judgment with your servant, for no one revealed his vindication in the sight of disquieted within me? Hope in God; for living is righteous before you. For the the nations. He has remembered his I shall again praise him, my help and enemy has pursued me, crushing my steadfast love and faithfulness to the my God. life to the ground, making me sit in house of Israel. All the ends of the darkness like those long dead. earth have seen the victory of our God. Ezekiel 37:1-14 The hand of the Therefore my spirit faints within me; Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all LORD came upon me, and he brought my heart within me is appalled. I the earth; break forth into joyous song me out by the spirit of the LORD and remember the days of old, I think and sing praises. Sing praises to the set me down in the middle of a valley; about all your deeds, I meditate on the LORD with the lyre, with the lyre and it was full of bones. He led me all works of your hands. I stretch out my the sound of melody. With trumpets around them; there were very many hands to you; my soul thirsts for you and the sound of the horn make a lying in the valley, and they were very like a parched land. Selah Answer me joyful noise before the King, the LORD. dry. He said to me, "Mortal, can these quickly, O LORD; my spirit fails. Do not Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the bones live?" I answered, "O Lord GOD, hide your face from me, or I shall be world and those who live in it. Let the you know.” Then he said to me, like those who go down to the Pit. Let floods clap their hands; let the hills "Prophesy to these bones, and say to me hear of your steadfast love in the sing together for joy at the presence them O dry bones, hear the word of the morning, for in you I put my trust. of the LORD, for he is coming to judge LORD. Thus says the Lord GOD to Teach me the way I should go, for to the earth. He will judge the world with these bones I will cause breath to you I lift up my soul. Save me, O LORD, righteousness, and the peoples with enter you, and you shall live. I will lay from my enemies; I have fled to you for equity. sinews on you, and will cause flesh to refuge. Teach me to do your will, for come upon you, and cover you with you are my God. Let your good spirit skin, and put breath in you, and you lead me on a level path. For your New Testament Reading and Psalm shall live; and you shall know that I am name's sake, O LORD, preserve my life. the LORD.” So I prophesied as I had In your righteousness bring me out of Romans 6:3-11 Do you not know been commanded; and as I trouble. In your steadfast love cut off that all of us who have been baptized prophesied, suddenly there was a my enemies, and destroy all my into Christ Jesus were baptized into his noise, a rattling, and the bones came adversaries, for I am your servant. death? Therefore we have been together, bone to its bone. I looked, buried with him by baptism into death, and there were sinews on them, and Zephaniah 3:14-20 Sing aloud, O so that, just as Christ was raised from flesh had come upon them, and skin daughter Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice the dead by the glory of the Father, so had covered them; but there was no and exult with all your heart, O we too might walk in newness of life. breath in them. Then he said to me, daughter Jerusalem! The LORD has For if we have been united with him in "Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, taken away the judgments against you, a death like his, we will certainly be mortal, and say to the breath Thus he has turned away your enemies. The united with him in a resurrection like says the Lord GOD Come from the four king of Israel, the LORD, is in your his. We know that our old self was winds, O breath, and breathe upon midst; you shall fear disaster no more. crucified with him so that the body of these slain, that they may live.” I On that day it shall be said to sin might be destroyed, and we might prophesied as he commanded me, and Jerusalem Do not fear, O Zion; do not no longer be enslaved to sin. For the breath came into them, and they let your hands grow weak. The LORD, whoever has died is freed from sin. But lived, and stood on their feet, a vast your God, is in your midst, a warrior if we have died with Christ, we believe multitude. Then he said to me, "Mortal, who gives victory; he will rejoice over that we will also live with him. We know these bones are the whole house of you with gladness, he will renew you in that Christ, being raised from the dead, Israel. They say, 'Our bones are dried his love; he will exult over you with loud will never die again; death no longer up, and our hope is lost; we are cut off singing as on a day of festival. I will has dominion over him. The death he completely.’ Therefore prophesy, and remove disaster from you, so that you died, he died to sin, once for all; but say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD I will not bear reproach for it. I will deal the life he lives, he lives to God. So you am going to open your graves, and with all your oppressors at that time. also must consider yourselves dead to bring you up from your graves, O my And I will save the lame and gather the sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. people; and I will bring you back to the outcast, and I will change their shame land of Israel. And you shall know that I into praise and renown in all the earth. Psalm 114 When Israel went out am the LORD, when I open your At that time I will bring you home, at from Egypt, the house of Jacob from a graves, and bring you up from your the time when I gather you; for I will people of strange language, Judah graves, O my people. I will put my spirit make you renowned and praised became God's sanctuary, Israel his dominion. The sea looked and fled; descending from heaven, came and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to Jordan turned back. The mountains rolled back the stone and sat on it. His them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my skipped like rams, the hills like lambs. appearance was like lightning, and his brothers to go to Galilee; there they will Why is it, O sea, that you flee? O clothing white as snow. For fear of him see me." Jordan, that you turn back? O the guards shook and became like ______mountains, that you skip like rams? O dead men. But the angel said to the This resource is an offering from The hills, like lambs? Tremble, O earth, at women, "Do not be afraid; I know that Vanderbilt Divinity Library at: http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu. New the presence of the LORD, at the you are looking for Jesus who was Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © presence of the God of Jacob, who crucified. He is not here; for he has 1989 National Council of the Churches of turns the rock into a pool of water, the been raised, as he said. Come, see the Christ in the United States of America. Used flint into a spring of water. place where he lay. Then go quickly by permission. All rights reserved. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings copyright and tell his disciples, 'He has been © Consultation on Common Texts admin. Gospel raised from the dead, and indeed he is Augsburg Fortress. Reproduced by going ahead of you to Galilee; there permission. No further reproduction allowed Matthew 28:1-10 After the sabbath, you will see him.' This is my message without the written permission of Augsburg as the first day of the week was for you.” So they left the tomb quickly Fortress. dawning, Mary Magdalene and the with fear and great joy, and ran to tell other Mary went to see the tomb. And his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them suddenly there was a great and said, "Greetings!" And they came earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, to him, took hold of his feet, and

EASTER VIGIL April 12, 2020 Year A, Revised Common Lectionary

Old Testament Readings and Psalms

Genesis 1:1-2:4a In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. And God said, "Let there be a dome in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” So God made the dome and separated the waters that were under the dome from the waters that were above the dome. And it was so. God called the dome Sky. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day. And God said, "Let the waters under the sky be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear." And it was so. God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, "Let the earth put forth vegetation plants yielding seed, and fruit trees of every kind on earth that bear fruit with the seed in it." And it was so. The earth brought forth vegetation plants yielding seed of every kind, and trees of every kind bearing fruit with the seed in it. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the third day. And God said, "Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years, and let them be lights in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth." And it was so. God made the two great lights--the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night--and the stars. God set them in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day. And God said, "Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the dome of the sky.” So God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, of every kind, with which the waters swarm, and every winged bird of every kind. And God saw that it was good. God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” And there was evening and there was morning, the fifth day. And God said, "Let the earth bring forth living creatures of every kind cattle and creeping things and wild animals of the earth of every kind." And it was so. God made the wild animals of the earth of every kind, and the cattle of every kind, and everything that creeps upon the ground of every kind. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, "Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.” So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.” God said, "See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food." And it was so. God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude. And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation. These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created.

Psalm 136:1-9, 23-26 O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. O give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever. O give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever; who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever; who by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures forever; who spread out the earth on the waters, for his steadfast love endures forever; who made the great lights, for his steadfast love endures forever; the sun to rule over the day, for his steadfast love endures forever; the moon and stars to rule over the night, for his steadfast love endures forever; It is he who remembered us in our low estate, for his steadfast love endures forever; and rescued us from our foes, for his steadfast love endures forever; who gives food to all flesh, for his steadfast love endures forever. O give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever.

Genesis 7:1-5, 11-18; 8:6-18; 9:8-13 Then the LORD said to Noah, "Go into the ark, you and all your household, for I have seen that you alone are righteous before me in this generation. Take with you seven pairs of all clean animals, the male and its mate; and a pair of the animals that are not clean, the male and its mate; and seven pairs of the birds of the air also, male and female, to keep their kind alive on the face of all the earth. For in seven days I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights; and every living thing that I have made I will blot out from the face of the ground.” And Noah did all that the LORD had commanded him. In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the windows of the heavens were opened. The rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights. On the very same day Noah with his sons, Shem and Ham and Japheth, and Noah's wife and the three wives of his sons entered the ark, they and every wild animal of every kind, and all domestic animals of every kind, and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, and every bird of every kind-- every bird, every winged creature. They went into the ark with Noah, two and two of all flesh in which there was the breath of life. And those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him; and the LORD shut him in. The flood continued forty days on the earth; and the waters increased, and bore up the ark, and it rose high above the earth. The waters swelled and increased greatly on the earth; and the ark floated on the face of the waters. At the end of forty days Noah opened the window of the ark that he had made and sent out the raven; and it went to and fro until the waters were dried up from the earth. Then he sent out the dove from him, to see if the waters had subsided from the face of the ground; but the dove found no place to set its foot, and it returned to him to the ark, for the waters were still on the face of the whole earth. So he put out his hand and took it and brought it into the ark with him. He waited another seven days, and again he sent out the dove from the ark; and the dove came back to him in the evening, and there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf; so Noah knew that the waters had subsided from the earth. Then he waited another seven days, and sent out the dove; and it did not return to him any more. In the six hundred first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, the waters were dried up from the earth; and Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and saw that the face of the ground was drying. In the second month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, the earth was dry. Then God said to Noah, "Go out of the ark, you and your wife, and your sons and your sons' wives with you. Bring out with you every living thing that is with you of all flesh--birds and animals and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth--so that they may abound on the earth, and be fruitful and multiply on the earth.” So Noah went out with his sons and his wife and his sons' wives. Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, "As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark. I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” God said, "This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.

Psalm 46 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. Selah There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns. The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah Come, behold the works of the LORD; see what desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. "Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth.” The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

Genesis 22:1-18 After these things God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am.” He said, "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I shall show you.” So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac; he cut the wood for the burnt offering, and set out and went to the place in the distance that God had shown him. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place far away. Then Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey; the boy and I will go over there; we will worship, and then we will come back to you.” Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. So the two of them walked on together. Isaac said to his father Abraham, "Father!" And he said, "Here I am, my son." He said, "The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham said, "God himself will provide the lamb for a burnt offering, my son." So the two of them walked on together. When they came to the place that God had shown him, Abraham built an altar there and laid the wood in order. He bound his son Isaac, and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to kill his son. But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven, and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am.” He said, "Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” And Abraham looked up and saw a ram, caught in a thicket by its horns. Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place "The LORD will provide"; as it is said to this day, "On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided.” The angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time from heaven, and said, "By myself I have sworn, says the LORD Because you have done this, and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will indeed bless you, and I will make your offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of their enemies, and by your offspring shall all the nations of the earth gain blessing for themselves, because you have obeyed my voice."

Psalm 16 Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the LORD, "You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.” As for the holy ones in the land, they are the noble, in whom is all my delight. Those who choose another god multiply their sorrows; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names upon my lips. The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; I have a goodly heritage. I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I keep the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also rests secure. For you do not give me up to Sheol, or let your faithful one see the Pit. You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Exodus 14:10-31; 15:20-21 As Pharaoh drew near, the Israelites looked back, and there were the Egyptians advancing on them. In great fear the Israelites cried out to the LORD. They said to Moses, "Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us, bringing us out of Egypt? Is this not the very thing we told you in Egypt, 'Let us alone and let us serve the Egyptians'? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” But Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid, stand firm, and see the deliverance that the LORD will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you see today you shall never see again. The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to keep still.” Then the LORD said to Moses, "Why do you cry out to me? Tell the Israelites to go forward. But you lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the Israelites may go into the sea on dry ground. Then I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them; and so I will gain glory for myself over Pharaoh and all his army, his chariots, and his chariot drivers. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gained glory for myself over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his chariot drivers.” The angel of God who was going before the Israelite army moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from in front of them and took its place behind them. It came between the army of Egypt and the army of Israel. And so the cloud was there with the darkness, and it lit up the night; one did not come near the other all night. Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. The LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night, and turned the sea into dry land; and the waters were divided. The Israelites went into the sea on dry ground, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left. The Egyptians pursued, and went into the sea after them, all of Pharaoh's horses, chariots, and chariot drivers. At the morning watch the LORD in the pillar of fire and cloud looked down upon the Egyptian army, and threw the Egyptian army into panic. He clogged their chariot wheels so that they turned with difficulty. The Egyptians said, "Let us flee from the Israelites, for the LORD is fighting for them against Egypt.” Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea, so that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots and chariot drivers.” So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at dawn the sea returned to its normal depth. As the Egyptians fled before it, the LORD tossed the Egyptians into the sea. The waters returned and covered the chariots and the chariot drivers, the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea; not one of them remained. But the Israelites walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left. Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. Israel saw the great work that the LORD did against the Egyptians. So the people feared the LORD and believed in the LORD and in his servant Moses. Then the prophet Miriam, Aaron's sister, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dancing. And Miriam sang to them "Sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; horse and rider he has thrown into the sea."

Exodus 15:1b-13, 17-18 "I will sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; horse and rider he has thrown into the sea. The LORD is my strength and my might, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him. The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is his name. Pharaoh's chariots and his army he cast into the sea; his picked officers were sunk in the Red Sea. The floods covered them; they went down into the depths like a stone. Your right hand, O LORD, glorious in power-- your right hand, O LORD, shattered the enemy. In the greatness of your majesty you overthrew your adversaries; you sent out your fury, it consumed them like stubble. At the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up, the floods stood up in a heap; the deeps congealed in the heart of the sea. The enemy said, 'I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil, my desire shall have its fill of them. I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.’ You blew with your wind, the sea covered them; they sank like lead in the mighty waters. Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in splendor, doing wonders? You stretched out your right hand, the earth swallowed them. In your steadfast love you led the people whom you redeemed; you guided them by your strength to your holy abode. You brought them in and planted them on the mountain of your own possession, the place, O LORD, that you made your abode, the sanctuary, O LORD, that your hands have established. The LORD will reign forever and ever."

Isaiah 12:2-6 Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid, for the LORD GOD is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that day Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known his deeds among the nations; proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth. Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.

Isaiah 55:1-11 Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David. See, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples. See, you shall call nations that you do not know, and nations that do not know you shall run to you, because of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you. Seek the LORD while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their thoughts; let them return to the LORD, that he may have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

Baruch 3:9-15, 3:32-4:4 Hear the commandments of life, O Israel; give ear, and learn wisdom! Why is it, O Israel, why is it that you are in the land of your enemies, that you are growing old in a foreign country, that you are defiled with the dead, that you are counted among those in Hades? You have forsaken the fountain of wisdom. If you had walked in the way of God, you would be dwelling in peace for ever. Learn where there is wisdom, where there is strength, where there is understanding, that you may at the same time discern where there is length of days, and life, where there is light for the eyes, and peace. Who has found her place? And who has entered her storehouses? But the one who knows all things knows her, he found her by his understanding. He who prepared the earth for all time filled it with four-footed creatures; the one who sends forth the light, and it goes; he called it, and it obeyed him, trembling; the stars shone in their watches, and were glad; he called them, and they said, "Here we are!" They shone with gladness for him who made them. This is our God; no other can be compared to him! He found the whole way to knowledge, and gave her to Jacob his servant and to Israel whom he loved. Afterward she appeared upon earth and lived with humankind. She is the book of the commandments of God, the law that endures for ever. All who hold her fast will live, and those who forsake her will die. Turn, O Jacob, and take her; walk toward the shining of her light. Do not give your glory to another, or your advantages to an alien people. Happy are we, O Israel, for we know what is pleasing to God.

Proverbs 8:1-8, 19-21; 9:4b-6 Does not wisdom call, and does not understanding raise her voice? On the heights, beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand; beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries out "To you, O people, I call, and my cry is to all that live. O simple ones, learn prudence; acquire intelligence, you who lack it. Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right; for my mouth will utter truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing twisted or crooked in them. My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and my yield than choice silver. I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, endowing with wealth those who love me, and filling their treasuries. b To those without sense she says, "Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. Lay aside immaturity, and live, and walk in the way of insight."

Psalm 19 The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy, and like a strong man runs its course with joy. Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them; and nothing is hid from its heat. The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the LORD are sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. But who can detect their errors? Clear me from hidden faults. Keep back your servant also from the insolent; do not let them have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

Ezekiel 36:24-28 I will take you from the nations, and gather you from all the countries, and bring you into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my spirit within you, and make you follow my statutes and be careful to observe my ordinances. Then you shall live in the land that I gave to your ancestors; and you shall be my people, and I will be your God.

Psalm 42, 43 As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God? My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me continually, "Where is your God?” These things I remember, as I pour out my soul how I went with the throng, and led them in procession to the house of God, with glad shouts and songs of thanksgiving, a multitude keeping festival. Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God. My soul is cast down within me; therefore I remember you from the land of Jordan and of Hermon, from Mount Mizar. Deep calls to deep at the thunder of your cataracts; all your waves and your billows have gone over me. By day the LORD commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life. I say to God, my rock, "Why have you forgotten me? Why must I walk about mournfully because the enemy oppresses me?” As with a deadly wound in my body, my adversaries taunt me, while they say to me continually, "Where is your God?” Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God. Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause against an ungodly people; from those who are deceitful and unjust deliver me! For you are the God in whom I take refuge; why have you cast me off? Why must I walk about mournfully because of the oppression of the enemy? O send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling. Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God. Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God.

Ezekiel 37:1-14 The hand of the LORD came upon me, and he brought me out by the spirit of the LORD and set me down in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me all around them; there were very many lying in the valley, and they were very dry. He said to me, "Mortal, can these bones live?" I answered, "O Lord GOD, you know.” Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. I will lay sinews on you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am the LORD.” So I prophesied as I had been commanded; and as I prophesied, suddenly there was a noise, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. I looked, and there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them; but there was no breath in them. Then he said to me, "Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, mortal, and say to the breath Thus says the Lord GOD Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.” I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood on their feet, a vast multitude. Then he said to me, "Mortal, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, 'Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are cut off completely.’ Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD I am going to open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people; and I will bring you back to the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people. I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you on your own soil; then you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken and will act," says the LORD.

Psalm 143 Hear my prayer, O LORD; give ear to my supplications in your faithfulness; answer me in your righteousness. Do not enter into judgment with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you. For the enemy has pursued me, crushing my life to the ground, making me sit in darkness like those long dead. Therefore my spirit faints within me; my heart within me is appalled. I remember the days of old, I think about all your deeds, I meditate on the works of your hands. I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah Answer me quickly, O LORD; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me, or I shall be like those who go down to the Pit. Let me hear of your steadfast love in the morning, for in you I put my trust. Teach me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Save me, O LORD, from my enemies; I have fled to you for refuge. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Let your good spirit lead me on a level path. For your name's sake, O LORD, preserve my life. In your righteousness bring me out of trouble. In your steadfast love cut off my enemies, and destroy all my adversaries, for I am your servant.

Zephaniah 3:14-20 Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! The LORD has taken away the judgments against you, he has turned away your enemies. The king of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; you shall fear disaster no more. On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands grow weak. The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing as on a day of festival. I will remove disaster from you, so that you will not bear reproach for it. I will deal with all your oppressors at that time. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. At that time I will bring you home, at the time when I gather you; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes, says the LORD.

Psalm 98 O sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things. His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory. The LORD has made known his victory; he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations. He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God. Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises. Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody. With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD. Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who live in it. Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing together for joy at the presence of the LORD, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity. New Testament Reading and Psalm

Romans 6:3-11 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For whoever has died is freed from sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 114 When Israel went out from Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language, Judah became God's sanctuary, Israel his dominion. The sea looked and fled; Jordan turned back. The mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs. Why is it, O sea, that you flee? O Jordan, that you turn back? O mountains, that you skip like rams? O hills, like lambs? Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the God of Jacob, who turns the rock into a pool of water, the flint into a spring of water.

Gospel

Matthew 28:1-10 After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, 'He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.' This is my message for you.” So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, "Greetings!" And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me." ______

This resource is an offering from The Vanderbilt Divinity Library at: http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu. New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings copyright © Consultation on Common Texts admin. Augsburg Fortress. Reproduced by permission. No further reproduction allowed without the written permission of Augsburg Fortress.

EASTER VIGIL humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have April 12, 2020 dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the Year A, Revised Common Lectionary cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.” So God created humankind in his image, Old Testament Readings and Psalms in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill Genesis 1:1-2:4a In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and the earth. The earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then earth.” God said, "See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. And God saw that the upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called have them for food. And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the there was morning, the first day. And God said, "Let there be a dome in the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food." And it was so. God midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” So God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there made the dome and separated the waters that were under the dome from was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. Thus the heavens and the waters that were above the dome. And it was so. God called the dome the earth were finished, and all their multitude. And on the seventh day God Sky. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day. And finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from God said, "Let the waters under the sky be gathered together into one all the work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and place, and let the dry land appear." And it was so. God called the dry land hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God creation. These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they saw that it was good. Then God said, "Let the earth put forth vegetation were created. plants yielding seed, and fruit trees of every kind on earth that bear fruit with the seed in it." And it was so. The earth brought forth vegetation plants Psalm 136:1-9, 23-26 O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his yielding seed of every kind, and trees of every kind bearing fruit with the steadfast love endures forever. O give thanks to the God of gods, for his seed in it. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there steadfast love endures forever. O give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his was morning, the third day. And God said, "Let there be lights in the dome of steadfast love endures forever; who alone does great wonders, for his the sky to separate the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for steadfast love endures forever; who by understanding made the heavens, seasons and for days and years, and let them be lights in the dome of the for his steadfast love endures forever; who spread out the earth on the sky to give light upon the earth." And it was so. God made the two great waters, for his steadfast love endures forever; who made the great lights, lights--the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night-- for his steadfast love endures forever; the sun to rule over the day, for his and the stars. God set them in the dome of the sky to give light upon the steadfast love endures forever; the moon and stars to rule over the night, earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from for his steadfast love endures forever; It is he who remembered us in our the darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and low estate, for his steadfast love endures forever; and rescued us from our there was morning, the fourth day. And God said, "Let the waters bring forth foes, for his steadfast love endures forever; who gives food to all flesh, for swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the his steadfast love endures forever. O give thanks to the God of heaven, for dome of the sky.” So God created the great sea monsters and every living his steadfast love endures forever. creature that moves, of every kind, with which the waters swarm, and every winged bird of every kind. And God saw that it was good. God blessed them, Genesis 7:1-5, 11-18; 8:6-18; 9:8-13 Then the LORD said to Noah, "Go saying, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds into the ark, you and all your household, for I have seen that you alone are multiply on the earth.” And there was evening and there was morning, the righteous before me in this generation. Take with you seven pairs of all fifth day. And God said, "Let the earth bring forth living creatures of every clean animals, the male and its mate; and a pair of the animals that are not kind cattle and creeping things and wild animals of the earth of every kind." clean, the male and its mate; and seven pairs of the birds of the air also, And it was so. God made the wild animals of the earth of every kind, and the male and female, to keep their kind alive on the face of all the earth. For in cattle of every kind, and everything that creeps upon the ground of every seven days I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights; and kind. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, "Let us make every living thing that I have made I will blot out from the face of the ground.” And Noah did all that the LORD had commanded him. In the six Psalm 46 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, the windows of the heavens were opened. The rain fell on the earth forty though the mountains tremble with its tumult. Selah There is a river whose days and forty nights. On the very same day Noah with his sons, Shem and streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. Ham and Japheth, and Noah's wife and the three wives of his sons entered God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the ark, they and every wild animal of every kind, and all domestic animals the morning dawns. The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter; he of every kind, and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, and every utters his voice, the earth melts. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of bird of every kind--every bird, every winged creature. They went into the ark Jacob is our refuge. Selah Come, behold the works of the LORD; see what with Noah, two and two of all flesh in which there was the breath of life. And desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God had of the earth; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; he burns the commanded him; and the LORD shut him in. The flood continued forty days shields with fire. "Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the on the earth; and the waters increased, and bore up the ark, and it rose nations, I am exalted in the earth.” The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of high above the earth. The waters swelled and increased greatly on the Jacob is our refuge. Selah earth; and the ark floated on the face of the waters. At the end of forty days Noah opened the window of the ark that he had made and sent out the Genesis 22:1-18 After these things God tested Abraham. He said to him, raven; and it went to and fro until the waters were dried up from the earth. "Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am.” He said, "Take your son, your only son Then he sent out the dove from him, to see if the waters had subsided from Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a the face of the ground; but the dove found no place to set its foot, and it burnt offering on one of the mountains that I shall show you.” So Abraham returned to him to the ark, for the waters were still on the face of the whole rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young earth. So he put out his hand and took it and brought it into the ark with men with him, and his son Isaac; he cut the wood for the burnt offering, and him. He waited another seven days, and again he sent out the dove from set out and went to the place in the distance that God had shown him. On the ark; and the dove came back to him in the evening, and there in its the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place far away. Then beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf; so Noah knew that the waters had Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey; the boy and I subsided from the earth. Then he waited another seven days, and sent out will go over there; we will worship, and then we will come back to you.” the dove; and it did not return to him any more. In the six hundred first year, Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on his son Isaac, in the first month, the first day of the month, the waters were dried up from and he himself carried the fire and the knife. So the two of them walked on the earth; and Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and saw together. Isaac said to his father Abraham, "Father!" And he said, "Here I that the face of the ground was drying. In the second month, on the twenty- am, my son." He said, "The fire and the wood are here, but where is the seventh day of the month, the earth was dry. Then God said to Noah, "Go lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham said, "God himself will provide the out of the ark, you and your wife, and your sons and your sons' wives with lamb for a burnt offering, my son." So the two of them walked on together. you. Bring out with you every living thing that is with you of all flesh--birds When they came to the place that God had shown him, Abraham built an and animals and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth--so that they altar there and laid the wood in order. He bound his son Isaac, and laid him may abound on the earth, and be fruitful and multiply on the earth.” So on the altar, on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand and Noah went out with his sons and his wife and his sons' wives. Then God said took the knife to kill his son. But the angel of the LORD called to him from to Noah and to his sons with him, "As for me, I am establishing my covenant heaven, and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am.” He said, with you and your descendants after you, and with every living creature that "Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him; for now I know that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from with you, as many as came out of the ark. I establish my covenant with you, me.” And Abraham looked up and saw a ram, caught in a thicket by its that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never horns. Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” God said, "This is the sign instead of his son. So Abraham called that place "The LORD will provide"; as of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature it is said to this day, "On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided.” The that is with you, for all future generations I have set my bow in the clouds, angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time from heaven, and said, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. "By myself I have sworn, says the LORD Because you have done this, and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will indeed bless you, and I will make your offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven and as the sand them on their right and on their left. The Egyptians pursued, and went into that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of their the sea after them, all of Pharaoh's horses, chariots, and chariot drivers. At enemies, and by your offspring shall all the nations of the earth gain the morning watch the LORD in the pillar of fire and cloud looked down blessing for themselves, because you have obeyed my voice." upon the Egyptian army, and threw the Egyptian army into panic. He clogged their chariot wheels so that they turned with difficulty. The Egyptians said, Psalm 16 Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the LORD, "Let us flee from the Israelites, for the LORD is fighting for them against "You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.” As for the holy ones in the Egypt.” Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea, land, they are the noble, in whom is all my delight. Those who choose so that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots another god multiply their sorrows; their drink offerings of blood I will not and chariot drivers.” So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at pour out or take their names upon my lips. The LORD is my chosen portion dawn the sea returned to its normal depth. As the Egyptians fled before it, and my cup; you hold my lot. The boundary lines have fallen for me in the LORD tossed the Egyptians into the sea. The waters returned and pleasant places; I have a goodly heritage. I bless the LORD who gives me covered the chariots and the chariot drivers, the entire army of Pharaoh that counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I keep the LORD always had followed them into the sea; not one of them remained. But the before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore Israelites walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters forming a wall my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also rests secure. For you for them on their right and on their left. Thus the LORD saved Israel that day do not give me up to Sheol, or let your faithful one see the Pit. You show me from the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand Israel saw the great work that the LORD did against the Egyptians. So the are pleasures forevermore. people feared the LORD and believed in the LORD and in his servant Moses. Then the prophet Miriam, Aaron's sister, took a tambourine in her hand; and Exodus 14:10-31; 15:20-21 As Pharaoh drew near, the Israelites looked all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dancing. And back, and there were the Egyptians advancing on them. In great fear the Miriam sang to them "Sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; Israelites cried out to the LORD. They said to Moses, "Was it because there horse and rider he has thrown into the sea." were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us, bringing us out of Egypt? Is this not Exodus 15:1b-13, 17-18 "I will sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed the very thing we told you in Egypt, 'Let us alone and let us serve the gloriously; horse and rider he has thrown into the sea. The LORD is my Egyptians'? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than strength and my might, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, to die in the wilderness.” But Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him. The LORD is a stand firm, and see the deliverance that the LORD will accomplish for you warrior; the LORD is his name. Pharaoh's chariots and his army he cast into today; for the Egyptians whom you see today you shall never see again. The the sea; his picked officers were sunk in the Red Sea. The floods covered LORD will fight for you, and you have only to keep still.” Then the LORD said them; they went down into the depths like a stone. Your right hand, O LORD, to Moses, "Why do you cry out to me? Tell the Israelites to go forward. But glorious in power-- your right hand, O LORD, shattered the enemy. In the you lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, greatness of your majesty you overthrew your adversaries; you sent out your that the Israelites may go into the sea on dry ground. Then I will harden the fury, it consumed them like stubble. At the blast of your nostrils the waters hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them; and so I will gain piled up, the floods stood up in a heap; the deeps congealed in the heart of glory for myself over Pharaoh and all his army, his chariots, and his chariot the sea. The enemy said, 'I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil, drivers. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have my desire shall have its fill of them. I will draw my sword, my hand shall gained glory for myself over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his chariot drivers.” destroy them.’ You blew with your wind, the sea covered them; they sank The angel of God who was going before the Israelite army moved and went like lead in the mighty waters. Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from in front of them and took Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in splendor, doing wonders? its place behind them. It came between the army of Egypt and the army of You stretched out your right hand, the earth swallowed them. In your Israel. And so the cloud was there with the darkness, and it lit up the night; steadfast love you led the people whom you redeemed; you guided them by one did not come near the other all night. Then Moses stretched out his your strength to your holy abode. You brought them in and planted them on hand over the sea. The LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all the mountain of your own possession, the place, O LORD, that you made night, and turned the sea into dry land; and the waters were divided. The your abode, the sanctuary, O LORD, that your hands have established. The Israelites went into the sea on dry ground, the waters forming a wall for LORD will reign forever and ever." he called it, and it obeyed him, trembling; the stars shone in their watches, Isaiah 12:2-6 Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be and were glad; he called them, and they said, "Here we are!" They shone afraid, for the LORD GOD is my strength and my might; he has become my with gladness for him who made them. This is our God; no other can be salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you compared to him! He found the whole way to knowledge, and gave her to will say in that day Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known Jacob his servant and to Israel whom he loved. Afterward she appeared his deeds among the nations; proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing upon earth and lived with humankind. She is the book of the praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this be known in all the commandments of God, the law that endures for ever. All who hold her fast earth. Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion, for great in your midst is will live, and those who forsake her will die. Turn, O Jacob, and take her; the Holy One of Israel. walk toward the shining of her light. Do not give your glory to another, or your advantages to an alien people. Happy are we, O Israel, for we know Isaiah 55:1-11 Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you what is pleasing to God. that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is Proverbs 8:1-8, 19-21; 9:4b-6 Does not wisdom call, and does not not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to understanding raise her voice? On the heights, beside the way, at the me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your crossroads she takes her stand; beside the gates in front of the town, at the ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live. I will make with you an entrance of the portals she cries out "To you, O people, I call, and my cry is everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David. See, I made him a to all that live. O simple ones, learn prudence; acquire intelligence, you who witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples. See, you lack it. Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is shall call nations that you do not know, and nations that do not know you right; for my mouth will utter truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips. shall run to you, because of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for All the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing twisted or crooked he has glorified you. Seek the LORD while he may be found, call upon him in them. My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and my yield than while he is near; let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their choice silver. I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, thoughts; let them return to the LORD, that he may have mercy on them, endowing with wealth those who love me, and filling their treasuries. b To and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your those without sense she says, "Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. For as the heavens I have mixed. Lay aside immaturity, and live, and walk in the way of insight." are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain and the snow come down from Psalm 19 The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so declares knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me not heard; yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the the end of the world. In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun, which thing for which I sent it. comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy, and like a strong man runs its course with joy. Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and Baruch 3:9-15, 3:32-4:4 Hear the commandments of life, O Israel; give its circuit to the end of them; and nothing is hid from its heat. The law of the ear, and learn wisdom! Why is it, O Israel, why is it that you are in the land of LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the LORD are sure, making your enemies, that you are growing old in a foreign country, that you are wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the defiled with the dead, that you are counted among those in Hades? You commandment of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the have forsaken the fountain of wisdom. If you had walked in the way of God, LORD is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD are true and you would be dwelling in peace for ever. Learn where there is wisdom, righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine where there is strength, where there is understanding, that you may at the gold; sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover same time discern where there is length of days, and life, where there is by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. But light for the eyes, and peace. Who has found her place? And who has who can detect their errors? Clear me from hidden faults. Keep back your entered her storehouses? But the one who knows all things knows her, he servant also from the insolent; do not let them have dominion over me. found her by his understanding. He who prepared the earth for all time filled Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. Let the it with four-footed creatures; the one who sends forth the light, and it goes; words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O bones live?" I answered, "O Lord GOD, you know.” Then he said to me, LORD, my rock and my redeemer. "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones I will cause breath to Ezekiel 36:24-28 I will take you from the nations, and gather you from all enter you, and you shall live. I will lay sinews on you, and will cause flesh to the countries, and bring you into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you upon you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all shall live; and you shall know that I am the LORD.” So I prophesied as I had your idols I will cleanse you. A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will been commanded; and as I prophesied, suddenly there was a noise, a put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. I looked, and there you a heart of flesh. I will put my spirit within you, and make you follow my were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had statutes and be careful to observe my ordinances. Then you shall live in the covered them; but there was no breath in them. Then he said to me, land that I gave to your ancestors; and you shall be my people, and I will be "Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, mortal, and say to the breath Thus says your God. the Lord GOD Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.” I prophesied as he commanded me, and the Psalm 42, 43 As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for breath came into them, and they lived, and stood on their feet, a vast you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come multitude. Then he said to me, "Mortal, these bones are the whole house of and behold the face of God? My tears have been my food day and night, Israel. They say, 'Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are cut off while people say to me continually, "Where is your God?” These things I completely.’ Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD I remember, as I pour out my soul how I went with the throng, and led them am going to open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my in procession to the house of God, with glad shouts and songs of people; and I will bring you back to the land of Israel. And you shall know thanksgiving, a multitude keeping festival. Why are you cast down, O my that I am the LORD, when I open your graves, and bring you up from your soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again graves, O my people. I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live, and I praise him, my help and my God. My soul is cast down within me; therefore will place you on your own soil; then you shall know that I, the LORD, have I remember you from the land of Jordan and of Hermon, from Mount Mizar. spoken and will act," says the LORD. Deep calls to deep at the thunder of your cataracts; all your waves and your billows have gone over me. By day the LORD commands his steadfast love, Psalm 143 Hear my prayer, O LORD; give ear to my supplications in your and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life. I say to God, faithfulness; answer me in your righteousness. Do not enter into judgment my rock, "Why have you forgotten me? Why must I walk about mournfully with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you. For the enemy because the enemy oppresses me?” As with a deadly wound in my body, my has pursued me, crushing my life to the ground, making me sit in darkness adversaries taunt me, while they say to me continually, "Where is your like those long dead. Therefore my spirit faints within me; my heart within God?” Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me is appalled. I remember the days of old, I think about all your deeds, I me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God. meditate on the works of your hands. I stretch out my hands to you; my soul Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause against an ungodly people; from thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah Answer me quickly, O LORD; my those who are deceitful and unjust deliver me! For you are the God in whom spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me, or I shall be like those who go I take refuge; why have you cast me off? Why must I walk about mournfully down to the Pit. Let me hear of your steadfast love in the morning, for in you because of the oppression of the enemy? O send out your light and your I put my trust. Teach me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your Save me, O LORD, from my enemies; I have fled to you for refuge. Teach me dwelling. Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and I to do your will, for you are my God. Let your good spirit lead me on a level will praise you with the harp, O God, my God. Why are you cast down, O my path. For your name's sake, O LORD, preserve my life. In your righteousness soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again bring me out of trouble. In your steadfast love cut off my enemies, and praise him, my help and my God. destroy all my adversaries, for I am your servant.

Ezekiel 37:1-14 The hand of the LORD came upon me, and he brought Zephaniah 3:14-20 Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice me out by the spirit of the LORD and set me down in the middle of a valley; and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! The LORD has taken it was full of bones. He led me all around them; there were very many lying away the judgments against you, he has turned away your enemies. The in the valley, and they were very dry. He said to me, "Mortal, can these king of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; you shall fear disaster no more. On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your skipped like rams, the hills like lambs. Why is it, O sea, that you flee? O hands grow weak. The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives Jordan, that you turn back? O mountains, that you skip like rams? O hills, victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; like lambs? Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the LORD, at the he will exult over you with loud singing as on a day of festival. I will remove presence of the God of Jacob, who turns the rock into a pool of water, the disaster from you, so that you will not bear reproach for it. I will deal with all flint into a spring of water. your oppressors at that time. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. At that time I will bring you home, at the time when I gather you; for I Gospel will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes, says the LORD. Matthew 28:1-10 After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And Psalm 98 O sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, things. His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory. The LORD descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His has made known his victory; he has revealed his vindication in the sight of appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of the nations. He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God. women, "Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the and sing praises. Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, with the lyre and place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, 'He has been the sound of melody. With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there joyful noise before the King, the LORD. Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; you will see him.' This is my message for you.” So they left the tomb quickly the world and those who live in it. Let the floods clap their hands; let the with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met hills sing together for joy at the presence of the LORD, for he is coming to them and said, "Greetings!" And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my with equity. brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me." ______This resource is an offering from The Vanderbilt Divinity Library at: http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu. New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 New Testament Reading and Psalm National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings copyright © Consultation on Common Romans 6:3-11 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized Texts admin. Augsburg Fortress. Reproduced by permission. No further reproduction allowed without the written permission of Augsburg Fortress. into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For whoever has died is freed from sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 114 When Israel went out from Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language, Judah became God's sanctuary, Israel his dominion. The sea looked and fled; Jordan turned back. The mountains