December 21 ~ 4:00 p.m.
Our Longest Night Service is a gentle, contemplative worship service held on the winter solstice, the longest night of the year. While the rest of December is filled with bright lights, cheerful music, and festive gatherings, many people move through the season carrying grief, stress, or longing that makes it difficult to feel “merry and bright.” The Longest Night Service creates a sacred space where those tender emotions are acknowledged rather than pushed aside.
The service is quiet and reflective, with soft music, candlelight, scripture readings, and prayers for healing and comfort. There is time for silence, remembrance, or lighting a candle for a loved one. Rather than celebrating the season’s busyness, the service acknowledges that this time of year can stir complicated feelings—loss, loneliness, uncertainty, overwhelm—and offers a gentle reminder that God’s presence meets us even in the shadows.
People attend a Longest Night Service for many reasons:
- Grief or recent loss — holidays can amplify the absence of someone they love.
- Stress or exhaustion — the pace of the season may feel overwhelming.
- Loneliness — even surrounded by people, some feel isolated or unseen.
- Life changes — job transitions, health concerns, family struggles, or uncertainty.
- A desire for quiet — some simply crave stillness and a place to breathe.
The heart of the service is this: you don’t have to be “okay” to show up. It offers a compassionate place where people can be honest about how they’re feeling and receive comfort, prayer, and community support. It reminds us that God’s light gently reaches into the darkest places and that we don’t walk them alone.