As Pentecost is coming up, pastors or “in the know” laity may be seeing the ghosts of a liturgy of time past haunting them in their lectionaries, liturgical resources, or planners as they prepare for this Holy Feast. As you may know, or may not know, just as with Christmas Eve and Easter Eve, so also Pentecost Eve is a thing, and does have a vigil service. in the west it comes in principally 3 forms; the pre-’55 form, and the shorter or extended Vatican 2 form. If you go and research those a little bit, you may notice that some of the changes are good, some not so good, but that one of the biggest and most-glaringly obvious problems for our current context when planning for this vigil service is the stark lack of liturgical resources for us to perform it properly. Historically this was a smaller echo-effect of the Easter-vigil. In modern days, it has been taken over by charismatic innovations. So what we have done below is a suggestion for you. We took what we considered to be the best of the pre-’55 Pentecost vigil, and the best of the post V.2 extended form, slapped them together and imported a few Eastern chants, and made a few modern embellishments and editions.
The congregation gathers quietly in the sanctuary and begins singing the Pentecostal Vesperial Psalms & readings with the proper antiphonal orations (113, 147:1-11, Rev 15:1-3, & Romans 8:9-11).
As the congregation closes the vesperial service , the Paschal candle is processed into the sanctuary.
Individual candles are then lit from the Paschal candle and handed out to the gathered faithful.
Around the Paschal candle, with candles in hand, the congregation sings the Pentecostal Troparion & Kontakion as the altar candles are lit with the fire from the Paschal candle; “Blessed are You O Christ Our God. You have revealed the fishermen as most wise by sending down upon them the Holy Spirit through them You drew the world into Your net O Lover of Man, Glory to You!” When the most High came down and confused the tongues, He divided the nations; but when he distributed the tongues of fire He called all to unity. Therefore, with one voice, we glorify the All-holy Spirit!
Collect for Pentecost Vigil
Readings & Sung Responses (Roman Lectionary, extended form)
Genesis 11:1-9 (Response: Psalm 32:10-15)
Exodus 19:3-20 (Response: Daniel 3:52-55)
Ezekiel 37:1-14 (Response: Psalm 1-7:2-9)
Joel 3:1-5 (Response: 104:1-2, 24, 35, 27-30)
Romans 8:22-27
Processional Gospel: John 7:37-39
Homily
Thanksgiving for baptism (ELW pg. 97)
Asperges (Holy water)
Remembrance of Confirmation/Affirmation of Baptism (LBW pg. 198/ ELW pg. 234), including; prayer of thanksgiving for and remembrance of baptism, renunciation of Satan, confession of faith, and re-affirmation of vows.
Anointing with Oil
Litany of Saints (i.e., ELW #237)
The Service continue with the Eucharistic liturgy
