Angels and Demons 5: Magdalene and the Demons

Wednesday, March 20, 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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Mary Magdalene is a prominent figure in the New Testament—her presence at every single gospel’s resurrection story testifies to that. But we know very little about her except for this one, juicy detail: the gospel according to Luke tells us that Jesus cast seven demons out of her. What does this mean? How has this verse been used throughout history? And what kind of demons were they, anyway?

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: Mary and Her Demons

Luke 8:1-3

March 20, 2024

Preacher: Rev. Pat Raube

“Holden Evening Prayer,” Marty Haugen

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.    

Sung text is indented and italicized below.

Prelude Chris Bartlette

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.

Be with us, O Light of the World,

Shine within us, now and forever.

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 Luke 8:1-3

Soon afterward [Jesus] went on through one town and village after another, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who ministered to them out of their own resources.

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 Chris Bartlette