Longest Night Service 2022

First United Methodist Church of Wilmington Longest Night Service December 22, 2022 Service adapted from The Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew With commentary by Harriette Cross Blue Christmas: A Service of Reflection for the Longest Night [This service was used at The Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew, Honolulu, HI. The service is available by arrangement with the cathedral's Provost, The Very Rev. Timothy W. Sexton. Churches wishing to use this service in whole or in part should acknowledge the source with this or a similar attribution: "The 'Blue Christmas' service used today/tonight is based on an order developed and used at The Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew, Honolulu Hawaii." For additional commentary and notes on the service, click here.] ________________________________________ Call to Worship Word was God. All things were made by God, and without God nothing came to be. What came to be through God was life, and this life was the light of the world. People: The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Welcome To participate in this service you are encouraged the light a candle to create safe space. You can also have a bible in order to read along. Most importantly have the presence of God with all that you do….. I want to start with a single candle – a single candle to light the darkness. Today is December 22nd – the day after the dawn of winter. Today has the same amount of daylight and nighttime as yesterday. But little did we know that this night would be so much more bleaker than last night. The temperature dropped like 40 degrees in 15 minutes. The wind is howling and through the night conditions will only get worse. I say a prayer for anyone who is out in this weather. It will indeed be a long night. Anyone out tonight will indeed be counting every moment until the sun arrives tomorrow at 7:15 am. This single candle will not do very much to warm things up, or even give them enough light to see their way. This candle represents Jesus Christ. The hope of the world, the lord of salvation, the way, the truth, and the light. This single light shines brighter than the sun – gives warmth not just for us, but for everyone. Just as the storm will not pass anytime soon – sometimes neither will our issues. It is a process. Jesus doesn’t promise instant gratification – but neither does this service. This service is designed to give us a calm place to be honest with ourselves and our feelings. Christmastime is not always the most wonderful time of the year. We are running ourselves ragged doing for others, things are not coming together as we want them to, there is strains in our family, we are dealing with anxiety, not to mention jobs ending at the beginning of the year, unexpected news from the doctor, there are situations that we do not want to face. There are a million reasons to be sad and dark. I do not have any advice – now we can sit and contemplate, listen to songs, here words of inspiration, focus on the single candle. We can be reminded that in the bleak midwinter to search for light, hope, peace, wellbeing, love. It is there. We have lost sight of it in the midst of struggle. We can just sit in this safe space, God does the rest. Psalm 22 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, so far from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest. In you, our ancestors trusted. They trusted and you delivered them. It was you who brought me from the womb, you who kept me safe on my mother's breast. Since my mother bore me, you have been my God. Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help. God does not despise the affliction of the afflicted. God does not hide from me. When I cry to God, God hears me. Thanks be to God. Psalm 23 The LORD is my shepherd; * I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; * he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul; * he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his Name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; * for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; * thou annointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, * and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. Litany of Remembrance (The first candle is lighted.) Officiant: We light this first candle to remember those whom we have loved and lost. We pause to remember clearly, their faces, their voices, their bodies. We embrace and give thanks for the memories that bind them to us in this season of expectation, when all Creation waits for the Light. All: We remember them with love. May God's eternal love surround them. O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel That mourns in lonely exile here, until the son of God appear Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee, 0 Israel. A period of silent reflection The second candle is lighted. Officiant: We light this second candle to remember the pain of loss: loss of relationships, loss of trust, loss of jobs, loss of health, loss of faith, the loss of joy. We acknowledge and embrace the pain of the past, O God, and we offer it to You, asking that into our wounded hearts and open hands You will place the gift of peace, shalom. All: We remember that through You all things are possible. Refresh, restore, renew us, 0 God, and lead us into Your future. O come thou Wisdom from on high, who orderest all things mightily To us the path of knowledge show, and teach us in her ways to go Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee, 0 Israel. A period of silent reflection The third candle is lighted. Officiant: We light this third candle to remember ourselves this Christmas time. We pause and remember the past weeks, months, and for some of us years, that have been heavy with our burdens. We accept and lay before you, God, the sharpness of memory, the sadness and grief, the hurt and fear, the anger and pain. We accept and lay before you the ways we feel we have fallen short, and the times we have spent blaming ourselves, and you, for all that we have suffered. We accept and lay before you the time we have walked alone, in darkness; and in knowledge of our own mortality. All: We remember that though we have journeyed far, and that, while lost, we may have turned away from the light, the light itself has not failed. We remember that though winter be upon us and though the night be dark, with the turning of the Wheel the dawn will come, and dawn defeats the darkness. O come thou day-spring, come and cheer our spirits by thy advent here Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death's dark shadows put to flight Rejoice, rejoice Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. A period of silent reflection The fourth candle is lighted. Officiant: We light this fourth candle to remember faith, the gift of light and hope that God offers to us in the stories of Hanukkah and of Christmas, which both also began in abandonment, insecurity, and humbleness, in a time of war and in a poor stable. We remember that the loving God who kept the light shining in the temple and who came to share this life with us promises us comfort and peace. All: We remember the One who shares our burdens, who shows us the way to the Light, and who journeys with us into all our tomorrows. O come desire of nations, bind in one the hearts of all mankind Bid then our sad, divisions cease, and be thyself our King of Peace Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. A period of silent reflection We light a fifth candle for your – for your concerns and prayers The Prayers of the People (All stand.) Leader: God of wisdom, we come to you this Christmas Season tired, in turmoil, and in pain. As the nights have grown longer, so has darkness grown and wrapped itself around our hearts. In this season of longest night, we ask your healing blessings upon all that we carry in our hearts -- sorrow we fear may never end, wounds we cannot even put into words. Lord, hear our prayer, All: And in Your merciful love, answer. Leader: God of mercy and compassion, there are those among us who are grieving over what might have been. Death or loss or terrible hurt has changed our experience of Christmas. We remember that once it was a special day for us, too, but someone or something precious has gone away from us in this life. We have lost a beloved, a job, a goal, a cause, a dream. We find ourselves adrift and alone. We are weary from the journey, and we have found no room at the inn. We come to you seeking rest, and peace, and shelter from the storm. Lord, hear our prayer. All: And in Your merciful love, answer. Leader: God of grace, in the spirit of the season, grant us all that we need to comfort us as we journey through this Christmas season. We ask that you shelter and sustain all those of us, both here and throughout the world, who wander or want or weep or are heavy laden, that we may be lifted up in courage and journey on in Thy peace. Lord, hear our prayer. All: And in Your merciful love, answer. Leader: God of love, in this Christmas Season we embrace and offer up to you all that used to be which is now lost to us, and cannot be again. With celebration all around us, memories of what was, and fears of what may be, weigh heavy on our hearts. Please hold us close in your embrace, be near to us this night, until the light returns and morning comes. Lord, hear our prayer, All: And in Your merciful love, answer. Officiant: Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give thine angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for thy love's sake. Amen. For us in the Midwest at the 41 latitude – it has been getting dark at 4:30 since late November. We have gotten used to it by now. I couldn’t imagine living in Alaska in certain places where there has been total darkness since November and it wont get light again until late January. I couldn’t fathom total darkness for months with no hope of seeing the sun. There are a lot of people who live like this everyday – even when the sun shines. They struggle. The darkness is not outside, it is inside. Inside of their spirit, minds and souls. All of us experience the dark night of the soul, those times when we just can’ t let the sunshine in. We use scripture and church songs in this service, but the service is intended to help you look at them in a different way. During this service I hope that you see hope in the story of jesus – coming as God with us. The story of Jesus celebrates God born of a woman, living in a family, experiencing challenges, yet never forgetting the divine light inside of him. He was able to spread that light. Third Reading: Luke 2:1-7 (All sit.) Offering of Light Officiant: One legend we celebrate in this season tells how a few brave fighters, defending their temple, had only enough oil to light the sacred lamp for one day, but it burned eight days until relief arrived. Another legend tells how in a little hill town a homeless couple with tax problems took shelter in a stable among the animals and gave birth to a light that would change the world. Let us pray. All: Gentle God of love, help us reach out together for the light of faith, for renewal and recovery and a new day coming. Grant that hope may come to rest in our hearts, and let it go forth with us into the darkness, this night and in the nights to come, until we see the dawn. Officiant: Lighten our darkness, we beseech you, O God; give us light in the night season; and by your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night. Amen. . Psalm 121 (All read together.) I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, who hath made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved; he that keepeth thee will not slumber; behold, the God that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is thy keeper; the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day nor the moon at night. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil and shall sustain thy soul. He shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in, from this time forth and even forevermore. Prayer (All stand) Offciant: Let us pray. All: Almighty God, we thank you for your constant love and for the blessings of this day. We know that even when we cannot see or feel you, still you are there. Help us to remember you and to listen for your voice in the words of family, friends, and strangers. Kindle our hearts and awaken hope, that we may know you as you reveal yourself in the world and in our lives. Let the light of your holy Spirit shine like these candles in the darkness, lighting the way for all who feel despairing, lost, or forgotten, and grant that it may come to dwell so deeply in our hearts that when we leave this phtce it may shine on, for us and for those we meet along the way. Amen. When we sing Silent Night, we picture the night as a peaceful night – warm, snow falling peacefully, we are enjoying the beauty of winter. Sometimes like tonight in reality the snow is not our friend. The wind hits our face and obstructs our view. Sometimes in the storm we are forced to take shelter, sit and wait for the storm to pass. We struggle for answers. Sometimes the night is silent and says nothing. Take a moment, feel the cold, hear the wind, wait for God Focus on the silent night….. Hymn (Tune: Stille nacht) (Sung by all, standing.) Silent night, holy night, All is calm, all is bright Round yon Virgin Mother and Child, Holy Infant, so tender and mild. Sleep in heavenly peace. Silent night, holy night, Shepherds quake at the sight; Glories stream from heaven afar, Heav'nly hosts sing alleluia; Christ, the Savior, is born! Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love's pure light Radiant beams from thy holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth. The purpose of this service is to step away from the carols, the Christmas lights, the expectations, the plans, the traditions. Hear the songs in a new light, here the Christ story from a different perspective. Accept where you are, how you feel. What ever comes up for you this season, it is okay. God comes to us as we are, not as we should be. There is nothing to wait for – just be present. Tomorrow we will get one ore minute of sunshine. Every storm runs its course. Next week we are expecting 50 degree weather at the first of January. Christmas is a bittersweet moment. We are celebrating the return of light, but it will not be not be normal sunshine until February. This is the first day of winter, but it will only get colder. More than likely it will still be freezing, we are expecting a long bleak winter. Find God in the moment – celebrate the dark and the light. Celebrate the change in the seasons. We get the chance to see God as human through Jesus. The single candle – it lights the night, it lights the world. What are your prayers, hopes, needs. What are you listening for through out the long night? Concluding Prayers (Remain standing.) Officiant: Let us pray. All: Another day will come, 0 God. I know not what it may bring forth, but make me ready, God, for whatever it may be. If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently. And if I am to do nothing, help me do it gallantly. Make these words more than words, and give me the Spirit of thy Peace. Amen. Officiant: O God, support us all the day long in this troubled life, until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then Lord, in thy mercy, grant us safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last. Amen. Blessing and Dismissal Officiant: The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace, both now and forever more. Amen. Officiant: The peace of the Lord be always with you. People And also with you. People may greet one another in the name of the Lord. ________________________________________ Cathedral Church of St. Andrew, 229 Queen Emma Square, Honolulu, HI 96813; 808-524-2822; saintandrewscathedral.net