This Service is based on the first part of the full Easter Vigil described above and is used by some churches instead of the full Vigil. It celebrates the resurrection of Jesus to life again after his crucifixion and, like the full Vigil, is usually held on Easter Saturday evening but sometimes very early on Sunday morning. Some churches use this Service, or other parts of the full 'Easter Vigil', whilst others use only the Holy Communion Service at their usual time on Easter Sunday morning.
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For instance, the Service of Light may take the form of the lighting of a fire outside the church at dusk on Holy Saturday and the carrying of the Paschal candle into the dark church with the words "The Light of Christ" or "Christ is Risen", followed by a short 'Service of the Word' omitting the many Old Testament readings and 'Exsultet' but including the 'Gloria in Excelsis' - the first time that has been sung since before Lent. The Service ends there and the people depart, delaying the celebration of Holy Communion until the usual time the following morning. Dymock has used this last format in the recent past, although not in the last few years, now we use only the Easter Sunday morning Service.
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