A service of Reflection and Healing

A Service of Reflection & Healing on the Longest Night December 21, 2024 Please silence cell phones and other electronic devices. *Please stand if you are able.

Welcome - Walking Beside Ministry Welcome to this Longest Night service, a time when we can, in company with each other, acknowledge the sadness we feel at Christmas time. This is the time of the shortest day and longest night of the year, when memories of past experiences and the pain of present reality can become overwhelming. Recognizing that this is not a season of joy for everyone, in this service we will be invited to reflect on the pain, the loneliness, and the sorrow we may feel and offer it all to our great sign of hope, the Holy Child of Bethlehem. We pray that all of us will find hope and comfort in knowing we are not alone. *Call to Worship (Psalm 139:10-11) Reader: If I say, Surely the darkness will cover me, and the light around me turn to night,” darkness is not dark to you, O Lord.

People: The night is as bright as the day; darkness and light to you are both alike.

Reader: Light and peace, in Jesus Christ our Lord.

People: Thanks be to God. *Invocation Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

*Opening Hymn

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear.

(Refrain) Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.

O come, O Rod of Jesse’s stem, From every foe deliver them that trust your mighty power to save, And give them victory o’er the grave. (Refrain) O come, O key of David, come, And open wide our heavenly home; Make safe the way that leads on high, And close the path to misery. (Refrain) O come, O Dayspring from on high And cheer us by your drawing nigh; Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, And death’s dark shadow put to flight. (Refrain) The Proclamation of the Word The First Reading Isaiah 9:2-7 NIV The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when diving the plunder. For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.

Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

Reader: The word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

The Second Reading (in unison)

Psalm 121 NIV

I lift up my eyes to the mountainswhere does my help come from?

My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot sliphe who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD watches over youthe LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

The LORD will keep you from all harmhe will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

The Third Reading Luke 2:8-20 NIV And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone round them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told to them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Reader: The Gospel of our Lord.

People: Thanks be to God. Reflective Musical Interlude Through music, you are invited into a time of quiet reflection in response to the Gospel.

Advent Wreath Candle Lighting and Litany of Remembrance Reader: We light this Advent candle to remember those persons whom we have loved and lost. We pause to remember their names, their faces, their voices. We give thanks for the memory that binds them to us this season which anticipates Christmas.

People: May God’s eternal love surround them.

A period of silent reflection. During this time, you are invited to come forward and light a candle for your loved one.

Hymn

Silent Night, Holy Night (with adapted verses)

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.

Sleep in heavenly peace.

Reader: We light this second candle to redeem the pain of loss: the loss of relationships, the loss of jobs, the loss of health. As we gather up the pain of the past, we offer it to you, O God, asking that into our open hands you will place the gift of peace.

People: Refresh, restore, renew us, O God, and lead us into your future.

A period of silent reflection. During this time, you are invited to come forward and light a candle to remember your pain of loss.

Hymn Silent night, holy night Griefs abound, ever in sight, Christ now comes in manger bare, Holds our loved ones in his holy care.

Joy, at last, to be ours.

Joy, at last, to be ours.

Reader: 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 of difficult times. We remember the poignancy of memories, the grief, the sadness, the hurts, the pain of reflecting on our own mortality.

People: Let us remember that dawn defeats darkness.

A period of silent reflection. During this time, you are invited to come forward and light a candle for yourself and your burdens.

Hymn Silent night, holy night Shepherd quake at the sight, Glories stream from heaven afar, Heavenly hosts sing alleluia, Christ, the Savior, is born!

Christ, the Savior, is born!

Reader: This fourth candle is lit to remember our faith and the gift of hope which God offers to us in the Christmas story. We remember that God, who shares our life, also promises us a place and time where pain and suffering will be no more.

People: Let us remember the one who shows the way and who goes with us into our tomorrows.

A period of silent reflection. During this time, you are invited to come forward and light a candle for the gift of light and hope that God offers to us.

Hymn 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.

Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.

The Prayers of the People Reader: In the spirit of this season let us now confidently ask our God for all the good things we need. The prayer will be broken up into several petitions. After each, a brief moment will be given for personal reflection.

Following that, you will hear the words, “God, hear our prayer,” and you are invited to respond with, “And in your mercy, answer.”

God of all Comfort, as your beloved children, we come to you with bittersweet feelings as Christmas dawns. We know we should be excited about the birth of Jesus and his promised second coming, but yet find ourselves coping with our many different losses. In the silence of our hearts, we acknowledge these before you now... (Pause for Reflection). God, hear our prayer.

People: And in your mercy, answer.

Reader: For our families and friends, we pray they may continue to help and support us... (Pause for Reflection). God, hear our prayer.

People: And in your mercy, answer.

Reader: For any person we have loved who has passed, for all the losses we have experienced in our lives, we do pray that all who call upon Your name may be redeemed by Your Easter promise... (Pause for Reflection).

God, hear our prayer.

People: And in your mercy, answer.

Reader: For our family and friends, we pray that You may bless them with love, peace, and joy... (Pause for Reflection). God, hear our prayer.

People: And in your mercy, answer.

Reader: For peace throughout the world and in our homes as proclaimed by the Christmas angels on that faraway hillside... (Pause for Reflection).

God, hear our prayer.

People: And in your mercy, answer.

Reader: For greater understanding of the lessons of love and acceptance as taught by Jesus Your Christ... (Pause for Reflection). God, hear our prayer.

People: And in your mercy, answer.

Reader: God of great compassion and love, listen to the prayers of Your people. Grant to all, especially the bereaved and troubled ones this Christmas, the blessing we ask in the name of Jesus, who taught us to pray...

People: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

*Closing Hymn

Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

Come, thou long-expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; From our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in Thee.

Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth Thou art; Dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver, born to a child and yet a king.

Born to reign in us forever, now Thy gracious kingdom bring.

By thine own eternal Spirit, rule in all our hearts alone;

By Thine all sufficient merit, raise us to Thy glorious throne.

*The Blessing Reader: May Christ, who by His Incarnation gathered into one things earthly and heavenly, fill you with His joy and peace; and the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be with you this night, and remain with you always. Amen.

Reader: Go forth in the name of the promised Christ.

People:

Thanks be to God.

*Dismissal to the music of Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus

You are invited to join us for a light supper or to remain in prayer.

Note: The hymn “O come, O come, Emmanuel” is a song of people in darkness longing for God’s light. It is not calling us to rejoice in the worldly form of the word, but calling us to reflect upon the true hope and joy that only God can give.

We give thanks to: Trinity Episcopal Church in Orange, CA for granting other churches permission to use their “Blue Christmas” service. We have incorporated portions of their service for our own use.

The Walking Beside Ministry of Desert Hills Presbyterian Church for presenting this service.

Our Participants: Barbara Cochran, pianist; Susan Constance, pianist; Heather Baldwin, pianist; Jeffrey Anthony, pianist; Shelly Core, reader; John Cisler, lead singer; Walking Beside Ministry Team, hospitality.

Christmas Eve Services December 24 - “What Child is This?”

3:00PM - Family Candlelight Service 5:00PM - Candlelight Service 7:00PM - Candlelight Service (with Livestream) We hope you join us!