Longest Night / Blue Christmas Service
Deceember 21, 2025 at 5 pm
Longest Night / Blue Christmas Livestream Worship Online Bulletin
Prelude
In The Bleak Midwinter arr. Gayden Sikes
Welcome & Purpose
Call to Worship
In the beginning, the world was dark.
And God said, “Let there be light.”
Tonight we gather in the long night of the year, bringing grief, questions, uncertainty, and hope.
Even here, God says, “Let there be light.”
The light shines in the darkness—
And the darkness has not overcome it.
Hymn
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel UMH#211
Scripture Reading
Psalm 42 UMH p. 777&778
Prayer of Lament
God of the long night, receive the truth of our lives.
Hold our grief, our pain, our fear, and our longing.
Meet us here with your mercy and your peace.
Amen.
Hymn
As the Deer TFWS#2025
Candle Lighting Liturgy
Pastor Kelly
Tonight we light six candles.
Each flame is a prayer.
Each light is a reminder that the darkness does not have the final word.
CANDLE ONE – For Those Who Grieve
Leader
We light this candle for those who grieve—
those whose hearts are broken,
those who miss someone deeply,
those who face the empty chair,
those who carry sorrow quietly.
Prayer
God of compassion, hold every grieving heart in your gentleness.
May your comfort surround them like a warm blanket on a cold night.
People
We remember. We grieve. We trust you, O God.
CANDLE TWO – For Those Living With Illness or Pain
Leader
We light this candle for those living with chronic pain, cancer,
ongoing treatments, mental illness, or fragile bodies.
Prayer
God of healing, draw near to those whose bodies and minds are weary.
Pour your strength into their days and your peace into their nights.
People
We pray for healing. We pray for hope.
CANDLE THREE – For Anxiety, Depression, and Inner Turmoil
Leader
We light this candle for those living with anxiety, depression,
fear, trauma, burnout, and exhaustion.
Prayer
God of the broken heart and the restless mind,
make space inside us for breath, peace, and gentleness toward ourselves.
People
You are our refuge and strength.
CANDLE FOUR – For Broken Relationships
Leader
We light this candle for strained families,
lost friendships,
estranged loved ones,
and the complicated love we carry.
Prayer
God who binds up the brokenhearted,
heal what can be healed,
hold what remains wounded,
and help us walk in grace.
People
Make us instruments of peace.
CANDLE FIVE – For Our World
Leader
We light this candle for a world in pain—
for those living in war zones,
for those fleeing danger,
for those struggling with injustice,
for communities divided and weary.
Prayer
God of the nations, shine your light into every broken place.
Give us courage to be bearers of justice, mercy, and peace.
People
Let your light come, O God!
CANDLE SIX – The Candle of Hope (Christ Candle)
Leader
We light this candle for hope—
fragile, flickering, yet real.
The hope that Christ brings to the deepest night.
Prayer
O Christ, Light of the World,
dwell with us in the long night.
Let your hope rise within us like the morning.
People
The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it.
Scripture Reading
Matthew 11:28–30
Reader
Holy Wisdom. Holy Word.
People
Thanks be to God.
Reader
“Come to me, all you who are weary and carrying heavy burdens,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me;
for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Prayers of the People
God of the long night,
we lift to you every person in this room
and every burden they carry.
Where there is grief—bring comfort.
Where there is illness—bring strength.
Where there is fear—bring calm.
Where there is loneliness—bring companionship.
Where there is despair—bring hope.
Where there is injustice—bring your peace.
We place all our prayers—spoken and silent—into your hands.
People
Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
A Longest Night Lord’s Prayer
Holy God,
present with us in the darkness,
holy is your name.
Your kin-dom come,
your will be done,
not only in the light of joy,
but in the long nights of grief and waiting.
Give us this night the grace we need—
enough strength for today,
enough breath for this moment,
enough hope to carry us forward.
Forgive us when despair takes hold,
when fear closes our hearts,
when we grow weary of hoping—
as we learn to forgive ourselves
and one another.
Lead us not into isolation,
but into your gentle presence.
Deliver us from the lie
that we are alone.
For yours is the love
that holds us in the night,
the mercy that meets us in our weakness,
and the light that dawns even now.
Amen.
Closing Hymn
It is Well With My Soul UMH#377
Benediction
Go in peace, wrapped in the tenderness of God.
Today’s Worship Participants
Our Pastor: Rev. Kelly Dotson
Music Director: Dr. Joel Reed
Worship Arts Associate: Patty Higggins