You Must Be a Subscriber to View This Page
Holy Saturday • Year B
March 30, 2024
Click on black & white clipart (above left) or color photo-graphic (above) to view and download full resolution graphics for use on bulletin covers. Tutorials available.
Historical Collect
Hear us, O Lord, Father almighty, through the New Adam, that being buried with Jesus, your Son, and raised up again by his life, we may in this night of his holy resurrection, and the grace and gift of your blessing, as well as the mysterious working of the Holy Spirit, obtain absolution of our sins. We pray this through him, who, with you and the Holy Spirit reign, one God, forever and ever. Amen. (Old Galilean Missal)
Thematic Collect
Holy God, on this most holy night as we move between death and new life, illume a new fire within us. Let us hear the story of your works of salvation throughout history as you brought your people out of slavery and into the promised land. By your grace bring us into the morning light of Christ’s resurrection where true freedom awaits all who believe. Grant us the fullness of your joy, in Jesus’ holy name we pray. Amen.
The Common Thread
Death comes to us all—that first death that results in being laid to rest. A second death may occur, an eternal death that comes to all who do not believe on the name of Christ. Yet life may come, an everlasting life of joy and peace, to everyone who has faith in God’s anointed. God does not wish for any to perish but to repent of their sins and unbelief (2 Pet 3:9), then grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Pet 3:18). This is the abundant life provided by the God who lays down his own life for the lives of his followers (John 10:10-11).
First Reading • Daniel 6:1-24
Daniel was left for dead. King Darius was sure he was destroyed by the lions when he returned to the pit the next morning. But the King of kings had other plans. Whatever those plans might be, Daniel remained faithful, going to his home to pray, despite the edict that forbade such activity. Though man may plot against the will of the Lord and his people, he is able to deliver from lions furnaces, and people.
Psalm • Psalm 16:1-11
The path of life is always before us; we need neither turn to the right nor the left but walk the straight and narrow path that is Christ himself. His very presence is the fullness of joy and life. Because the right hand of God’s presence is always with us, we may be assured, no matter what life may throw our way, of a beautiful inheritance, eternal life itself.
Second Reading • 1 Peter 4:1-8
Though we are dead in our sins (Eph 2:5), the proclamation of the gospel is able to save us to eternal life. When the gospel takes hold of us, faith begins to kill the sin that so easily entangles us (Heb 12:1). We begin to be like Jesus, living in the Spirit until that day when we attain to the resurrection of the dead. Not that we have already become so perfected (Phil 3:10-12), but the promise is sure. That time will arrive, through Jesus Christ the Lord.
Gospel • Matthew 27:57-66
Having been crucified, Jesus died and was buried. Pilate was certain that Jesus was dead and could be forgotten. But God had other plans. Though the tomb was sealed and a guard was set, Jesus had declared he would arise three days hence. He shared the grave of all humanity, yet promised to rise, and share his resurrection with all who have faith in him. If we are buried into his death through baptism, we will also rise with him in a resurrection like his (Rom 6:5).
Small Insert for Holy Saturday Full Text (The Small Insert omits the psalm in the interest of space. This file includes the readings in their entirety.)
Resources
Links to Worship Resources for this Service
