Angels and Demons 4: The Tongues of Angels

Wednesday, March 13, 2024
6:30 PM 7:00 PM 18:30 19:00

Union Presbyterian Church 200 E Main St Endicott, NY, 13760 United States (map)

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“If I speak in the tongues of humans and of angels but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” So begins one of the most famous passages in the New Testament. But what does it mean, exactly? What are the tongues of angels like?

Join us on Wednesday evenings throughout Lent for a soup supper at 5:45 pm and Lenten Worship—with Holden Evening Prayer—at 6:30 pm, and get to know some of these angels and demons! You are invited.

Wednesday Holden Evening Prayer

Union Presbyterian Church, Endicott, NY

Angels and Demons: The Tongues of Angels

1 Corinthians 13; Luke 2:8-14

March 13, 2024

Preacher: Rev. Pat Raube

“Holden Evening Prayer,” Marty Haugen

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.    

Sung text is indented and italicized below.

Prelude Tower Ringers

“When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” and “What Wondrous Love”

Janet Van Valey and Susan Berry

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.    

Call to Worship Rev. Pat Raube

Jesus Christ, you are the Light of the World;

a light no darkness can overcome.

Stay with us, Lord, for it is evening…

And the day is almost over.

Let your light kindle the darkness,

and shine within your people here.

Evening Hymn

“Joyous Light of Heavenly Glory"

(All sing:)

Joyous light of heavenly glory, 

Loving glow of God’s own face, 

You who sing creation’s story, 

Shine on every land and race. 

Now as evening falls around us 

We shall raise our songs to you, 

God of daybreak, God of shadows, 

Come and light our hearts anew. 

In the stars that grace the darkness, 

In the blazing sun of dawn, 

In the light of peace and wisdom, 

We can hear your quiet song. 

Love that fills the night with wonder, 

Love that warms the weary soul, 

Love that bursts all chains asunder, 

Set us free and make us whole. 

You who made the heaven’s splendor, 

Every dancing star of night, 

Make us shine with gentle justice, 

Let us each reflect your light. 

Mighty God of all creation, 

Gentle Christ who lights our way, 

Loving Spirit of salvation, 

Lead us on to endless day.

Evening Thanksgiving

One: May God be with you all.

All: And also with you.

One: Let us sing our thanks to God.

All: It is right to sing our thanks and praise.

Blessed are you, Creator of the universe:

from old you have led your people by night and day.

May the light of your Christ make our darkness bright,

for your Word and your presence are the light of our pathways,

and you are the light of all creation.

All: Amen.

Evening Psalm Psalm 141

(All sing:)

Let my prayer rise up like incense before you,

The lifting up of my hands as an offering to you.

O God, I call to you; come to me now.

O hear my voice when I cry to you.

Let my prayer rise up like incense before you,

The lifting up of my hands as an offering to you.

Keep watch within me, God; deep in my heart

May the light of your love be burning bright.

Let my prayer rise up like incense before you,

The lifting up of my hands as an offering to you.

All praise to the God of all, Creator of life;

All praise be to Christ and the Spirit of love.

Let my prayer rise up like incense before you,

The lifting up of my hands as an offering to you.

Prayer

May our prayers come before you, O God, as incense,

and may your presence surround and fill us,

so that in union with all creation,

we might sing your praise and your love in our lives. Amen.

Scripture 1 Corinthians 13:1

If I speak in the tongues of humans and of angels but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

Scripture Luke 2:8-14

Now in that same region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.”  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace among those whom he favors!

Response The light shines in the darkness,

and the darkness has not overcome it.

Meditation

Litany and Prayers

One: (sung petition)

All: God of mercy, hold us in love.

One: …Help us, comfort us, all of our days.

All: Keep us, hold us, gracious God.

Great and merciful God,

source and ground of all goodness and life,

give to your people the peace that passes all understanding,

and the will to live your gospel of mercy and justice,

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer (Unison)

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come, your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins

as we forgive those who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial

and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,

now and forever. Amen.

Final Blessing  

One: Let us bless our God.

All: Praise and thanks to you.

One: May God, Creator, bless us and keep us.

May Christ be ever light for our lives.

May the Spirit of Love be our guide and our path

For all of our days.

All: Amen.

Go in peace, to love and serve the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Postlude Colin DeLap

“Lamb of God,” Carol Tornquist.

Used by permission, CCLI License #CSPL068847

Cover: Jan van Eyck, The Ghent Altarpiece, Singing Angels, ca. 1427-1429. Public Domain.