The Longest Night Worship Service
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December 20, 2022 @ 7:00 pm
The longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere comes each December at the time of the Winter Solstice. In this deep darkness, many northern cultures focus on light. We light Advent wreaths, put lights on evergreen trees and around our homes. Even John’s Christmas morning Gospel proclaims, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” (John 1:5)
For some of us, however, the longest night is especially challenging in the midst of the party our culture celebrates from Thanksgiving weekend right through New Year’s Day. Our inner life is out of sync with the joy, laughter, gatherings, the expectations and hope that shine light in the darkness. Our hearts hurt.
It may be that you have experienced a significant loss in the past year. It may be that you are living with depression. It may be that someone in your family has received a difficult medical diagnosis. Whatever it is, this year you just don’t seem to fit in with the rhythm and pace of December joy.
It is sometimes even difficult to worship.
This December 20, at 7:00 p.m., Central Moravian Church will offer a Service of The Longest Night, A Time of Healing and Understanding For Those Hurt, Confused, or Lost In This Season. This worship will offer a time for naming what is different this year, for spending time in silence, and prayer. We will share an Anointing for Healing and a time for lighting candles of remembrance. We will gather in the Old Chapel.
The Mental Health Awareness Planning Team will be leading this worship service, along with Pastor Maggie Wellert, and Old Chapel Organist Richard Miller.
Wherever you are on your faith journey, whatever your identity this season of holy days, whatever pain lingers in your heart, we welcome you to share in The Longest Night, Tuesday, December 20, 7:00 p.m, in the Old Chapel of Central Moravian Church.
