Vigil of Easter 2015

Christ is risen (he has risen indeed, Alleluia!)

        

         Christ we tempted by the Devil.

         Christ was crucified that Sin might die.

         Christ triumphs over death.

         Let us Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously!

         Let us sing to the Lord

         Let us Sing to the Lord, seven stanzas of Salvation

1. Sing of the works God has fashioned.

         Light, sky, sea, and vegetation.

         All ordered for the good of fish and bird,

         All made that the creatures of earth may prosper.

         We people put here,

         Together the image of God!

         All of this ordered, and then given blessed rest.

         All of us given a day, good, for nothing—a Sabbath

         Sing of the God who creates!

2. Sing of God’s continuous liberating acts.

         Sing a freedom song.

        

         Sing to reassure us when we are confronted by that reality

         When freedom is frightening/

         When an open world astounds us!

        

         Sing to the clapping of a multitude of feet against dry land

         Sing by the fire at night and through the smoke in the day

         Sing of God’s leading us on, to his promises.

        

         Take up Miriam’s melody

         “Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously;

         Horse and rider he has thrown into the sea.”

3. Sing to the prophetic rhythm of Ezekiel

         To the maraca-like rattle of bone on bone

         Sinew sproing-ing like guitar string

         Flesh wrapped tight like a drum

         The breath bellowing out baritone

         The life returned, worthy of many a song

        

         Prophecy is a solo,

         that is actually a duet with God.

         The multitude who were sleeping are awake,

         A massive choir

         They join you and we all sing together

         Sing: “God’s people are never without hope.”

        

4. Sing the raucous counter-tune

         Make melody against the clangor of

         Horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp,

         drum, and entire musical ensemble.

        

         Sing so high the idols shatter

         Charm the fire with your song

         Join in harmony with the three men

         Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

         Three men in the fire,

         No

         Four men singing praise to God

         The God with them in the fire.

5. Sing that brief refrain

         Beloved disciple—running faster

         Upping the tempo

         Hitting a rest, not entering in

         Ending in a crescendo

         Belief.

6. Sing like Peter

         His pace petering out

         Failing in the race

         A brave climax mid melody

         Entering in the tomb to see

         A confused fluttering note

         “What has happened?”

         Peter fades away, returning home.

7. Finally, Mary’s song

         A startled start—stone rolled away

         She too joins in the percussion foot race

         Like Peter and the Beloved Disciple.

         Then, she gets her sad solo,

         An Aria of anguish there at the Tomb

        

         No she doesn’t! She’s alone! Then surrounded!

         Two Angels there, and wisped away

         A Gardner for her to accuse

         Then the single finest note in all of God’s great song

         Jesus Christ calls her by name.

         If you listen quietly you can hear it too.

         He knows you and calls you by name. Singing it aloud.

        

         When you go from here

         Sing this song to the others too

         Sing that “I have seen the Lord!”

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Christ is risen (he has risen indeed, Alleluia)