Evening Prayer: Where Your Treasure Is: The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids

Wednesday, March 25, 2026
6:15 PM 7:15 PM 18:15 19:15

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

Google Calendar ICS

In this evocative parable, Jesus paints a picture of a wedding party, waiting eagerly for the bridegroom to arrive. Some are prepared; some are most definitely not.

We invite you to join us for a simple supper in our Fellowship Hall at 5:30 pm and Lenten Evening prayer at 6:15 in our beautiful Sanctuary at 200 East Main Street, Endicott, NY. Or, you can join us online here for our livestream (by clicking on the Youtube video), throughout both the Wednesdays and Sundays (10:30 AM) of Lent. UPC: always joyful, always welcoming.

Where Your Treasure Is 5: The Parable Wise and Foolish Bridesmaids

Matthew 25:1-13

Union Presbyterian Church

March 25, 2026

Sharing the Light of Christ, Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Preacher: Rev. Pat Raube Musician: Joan Kellam

Prelude

“There's a Wideness in God's Mercy” (Hymn #435)

“Menuet," Christian Pezold

“Day is Done” (Hymn #675)

(Public Domain)

[Wired Mic for Pat / 2 Wireless Mic’s for Bells in Balcony]

*Service of Light

“Holden Evening Prayer: Processional,” Marty Haugen

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

One: Jesus Christ, you are the light of the world,

All: The light no darkness can overcome.

One: Stay with us now, for it is evening,

All: And the day is almost over.

One: Let your light scatter the darkness,

All: And shine within your people here.

*Hymn

“Holden Evening Prayer: Evening Hymn/Joyous Light,” Marty Haugen

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

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

“Holden Evening Prayer: Evening Thanksgiving,” Marty Haugen

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

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 give God thanks and praise.

One: ... you are the light and life of all creation.

All: Amen.

Psalm 141

“Holden Evening Prayer: Psalm 141,” Marty Haugen

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

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.

Anthem Tower Ringers

“Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart,” Susan Berry, Janet Van Valey

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Scripture Reading Matthew 25:1-13 NRSVUE

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten young women took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those young women got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise replied, ‘No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet, and the door was shut. Later the other young women came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ Keep awake, therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

Response We live, not by bread alone,

but by every word that comes from God.

Thanks be to God!

Meditation “The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Bridesmaids”

Anthem Tower Ringers

“When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,” J. Wayne Kerr

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Prayers of the People

“Holden Evening Prayer: Litany and Prayers,” Marty Haugen

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Response: God of mercy, hold us in love.

Final response:

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

All: Keep us, hold us, gracious God.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our father in heaven,

Hallowed be your name,

Your kingdom come, your will be done,

On earth as 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.

*Hymn  # 350

“Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning”

(Public Domain)

Keep your lamps trimmed and burning;
Keep your lamps trimmed and burning;
Keep your lamps trimmed and burning,
For the time is drawing nigh.

Sisters, don’t grow weary;
Brothers, don’t grow weary;
Children, don’t grow weary,
For the time is drawing nigh.

It’s our faith makes us happy;
It’s our faith makes us happy;
It’s our faith makes us happy,
For the time is drawing nigh.

Sisters, don’t grow weary;
Brothers, don’t grow weary;
Children, don’t grow weary,
For the time is drawing nigh.

We are climbing Jacob’s ladder;
We are climbing Jacob’s ladder;
We are climbing Jacob’s ladder,
For the time is drawing nigh.

Sisters, don’t grow weary;
Brothers, don’t grow weary;
Children, don’t grow weary,
For the time is drawing nigh.

Every round goes higher, higher;
Every round goes higher, higher;
Every round goes higher, higher,
For the time is drawing nigh.

Sisters, don’t grow weary;
Brothers, don’t grow weary;
Children, don’t grow weary,
For the time is drawing nigh.

*Benediction

“Holden Evening Prayer: Final Blessing,” Marty Haugen

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

One: Let us bless our God:

All: Praise and thanks to you.

One: ... be our guide and path for all of our days.

All: Amen.

Postlude

“March,” J.S. Bach

(Public Domain)

Where an * is indicated, please rise in body and/or in spirit.

Worship With Us

Evening Prayer: Where Your Treasure Is: The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids