Morning Worship
Stewart Chapel
A Service of Longest Nights
Welcome
*Call to Worship
All around us we see the lights of Christmas,
we hear the sounds of celebration.
We come to this service recognizing
that this season is often difficult for many
and may not be as joyful for us
as it seems to be for many others.
In this season of longest nights,
some struggle to put into words
that which causes them to feel blue rather than joyful.
For some, a loved one has died.
For others, a friend has moved away.
Still others have lost a job, a cherished dream, or a sense of hope.
We might be feeling worried, trapped, insecure, adrift or alone.
We may be grieving what might have been but will not be,
or grieving over what used to be, but cannot be anymore.
We may simply be in need of a place of quiet and calm in an otherwise busy season.
Whatever may have brought us here
we offer to the One born in
knowing that there is no pain that does not echo in God’s heart,
no joy that does not come from God’s hand.
And so we come to worship Immanuel, God with us.
*Hymn PH # 36 In the Bleak Midwinter
Prayer of Confession
Loving God, in you we live and move and have our being.
Yet sometimes we cannot feel your presence and we forget your love.
Forgive us and draw near to us.
Help us to remember your love which never lets us go,
in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Sisters and Brothers in Christ, hear the Good News:
God loves us. God forgives us. God sets us free. Amen.
Prayer for Illumination
First Scripture Reading Isaiah 40:1-8
Second Scripture Reading Psalm 121
Litany of Light in the Longest Night
In this season of Advent, as we celebrate joy, hope, love, and peace,
we remember the many other emotions and experiences of the season:
grief, disbelief, anger, deep sadness,
as well as gratitude for the care of family and friends who have stood with us.
We acknowledge and mourn losses suffered:
the loss of relationship, the loss of stability,
the shaking of the foundations of our lives.
We call to mind those we especially miss.
We remember their names in our hearts and celebrate their memories.
In the beginning, God said, “Let there be light . . .”
And there is light.
The first candle is lit.
After time of loss and grief,
we give thanks for the light that comforts us and gives us hope.
Sung Response O Little Town of
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie.
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by;
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light;
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
In the lives of our forebears,
God showed the way from a place of pain to a land of promise.
When our journey is hardest, the way unclear,
and we wonder if the tears will every stop,
God says, “Let there be light,”
And there is light.
The second candle is lit.
We remember the journeys of our lives, how far we travel,
and we give thanks for the light that leads us and brings us into joy.
Sung Response O Little Town of
In our yesterdays and todays, there are moments we treasure:
a friendship grows, truth is discovered, faith deepens.
On the mountaintop and in quiet places,
God says, “Let there be light,”
And there is light.
The third candle is lit.
We remember the ways in which we have been blessed,
and give thanks for the light of love that shines on us.
Sung Response O Little Town of
As we look to the future, we know that shadows will come again;
yet in our hearts shines the everlasting light.
The fourth candle is lit.
God will come, offering a baby’s hand to greet us and to bring us peace.
As we sing our response once again, we invite you to come forward and write down whatever you may be carrying with you this season, and lay it in the manger, as a sign that Christ is with us, even in this season of longest nights.
Sung Response PH#44 (all) O Little Town of
*Closing Hymn PH # 48 Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming
*Charge and Benediction
*Passing of the Peace
Participants in Worship:
Mr.
Rev. Stephanie Croom, Musician
Ms. Suzanne Herman, M.Div
Ms. Maxine Millender, Junior
Resources: This service is adapted from Celebrate God’s Presence (United Church of Canada 2000).
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