On Easter Saturday evening we held the Traditional service of the Easter Vigil with the Lighting of the Pascal Candle and the renewal of Baptismal vows, and on this occasion a baptism, followed by the first Eucharist of Easter.
It was a cold and rainy night so the lighting of the Pascal Candle had to take place in the Porch. The Porch and the church were decorated beautifully by the Flower Arranging team and after the stark appearance of Good Friday it looked magnificent. All the lights in the Church were dimmed and each member of the congregation was given a candle. In the porch a small fire was lit and blessed. Father Stephen then blessed, marked and inserted the five grains of incense into the new Pascal Candle. The Candle was lit from the fire, and then each individual candle was lit, we processed into the Church with the acclamation, 'The Light of Christ'. Remaining in candle light we then heard the readings from the Old and New Testament. At the singing of the Gloria we extinguished the candles and returned to full light!
The Baptismal candidate, Luke, helped Father Stephen to prepare the Font and was duly baptised, the congregation, affirming their baptismal vows, were sprinkled with water from the font.
This was followed by the Eucharist, The choir sang This Joyful Easter tide as the motet. Joanna played Marche Nuptiale from the 1st suite Pieces de fantaisie by Louis Verne at the end of the service.

We left the Church wishing each other Happy Easter.