 Blue Christmas / The Longest Night Services - 2022
The constant refrains we see about the holiday season's happiness, and getting together with family and friends, remind many people of what they have lost. So often, the glow of Christmas lights, holiday cheer, and Advent candles can feel unreachable to those surrounded by loss or grief. The death of a loved one can make us feel alone amid the celebration and joy. We need the space and time to acknowledge our sadness; we need to know that we are not alone. If you haven't heard of it before, Blue Christmas sometimes called The Longest Night in the Western Christian tradition. This service is traditionally held on or near the longest night of the year, December 21st, the Winter Solstice. It honors people that have lost loved ones and are experiencing grief or loss of any kind. Usually, it includes opportunities for expressing grief, pain, and lament, as well as a chance to focus on the promise of hope. This service is not intended to be a healing service, but an acknowledgment of the hole grief leaves in one's heart while simultaneously remembering that we worship a God who is with us, even in the darkest of times. Here is a list of services from all around the US. Some will be available to attend virtually: Thurs, Nov 17th - Messiah University - Mechanicsburg, PA https://www.facebook.com/events/587675052608375/ Wed, Nov 30th - Shepherd of the Hill Lutheran Church - Elk Mount, WI https://www.facebook.com/events/808921827007536/ Thurs, Dec 1st - LIFE Community - Corvallis, OR https://www.facebook.com/events/2346285815527533/ Sat, Dec 10th - Grace CMA Church - Middleburg Heights, OH https://www.facebook.com/events/689583582592704/ Sun, Dec 11th - Southside Church of the Nazarene - Edmonton, AB, Canada https://www.facebook.com/events/674428647760596/ Sun, Dec 11th - Midway Baptist Church - Amherst, VA https://www.facebook.com/events/417402367265536/ Tues, Dec 13th - Zion's Lutheran Church - Trinidad, CO https://www.facebook.com/events/3300242806880446/ Wed, Dec 14th - Waterstone Community Church - Littleton, CO https://www.facebook.com/events/1273547216745283/ Sun, Dec 18th - Trietsch Memorial United Methodist Church - Flower Mound, TX https://www.facebook.com/events/1564604410709188/ Mon, Dec 19th - West Lake Christian Church - Laurie, MO https://www.facebook.com/events/3203494279964275/ Wed, Dec 21st - Grace UMC - Parksley, VA https://www.facebook.com/events/642359534051312/ Wed, Dec 21st - St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church - Shoreline, WA - https://www.facebook.com/events/634647384680716/ Wed, Dec 21st - First United Methodist Church of Gilbert - Gilbert, AZ https://www.facebook.com/events/1511319206046296/ Wed, Dec 21st - First United Methodist Church of Mesa, Mesa, AZ https://www.facebook.com/events/518643009689292/ Wed, Dec 21st - First Evangelical Free Church of Moline - Moline, IL https://www.facebook.com/events/456099766587357 Wed, Dec 21st - Mt. Harmony Lower Marlboro United Methodist Church - Owings, MD https://www.facebook.com/events/457376966485561/
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 The Longest Night Service
Tree City Church Boise Campus: 3852 N Eagle Road Boise, ID 83713 December 21, 2021 at 7:00 PM MST The service is titled, “The Longest Night” because so often the glow of Christmas lights, holiday cheer, and Advent candles can feel unreachable to those surrounded by loss or grief. The longest night of the year, winter solstice, takes place on December 21st. This service is a safe space for those who are struggling to feel the joy and light of this holiday season due to loss of any kind. This service is not intended to be a service of healing, but an acknowledgment of the hole grief leaves in one’s heart while simultaneously remembering that we worship a God who is with us, even in the darkest of times Kids Ministry for ages Birth - Kindergarten available during this special service. For more information visit: https://tinyurl.com/longestnightDec21  The Longest Season Service
Thursday, December 16 at 7:00 PM CT The Longest Season Service is a free, ecumenical offering of the Center of Addiction & Faith via Zoom on Thursday, December 16 at 7:00 PM CT. All are invited. Some call it Blue Christmas or the Longest Night. For people with history—long or recent—of grief, trauma, depression or loss, the holidays are not “the most wonderful time of the year” as Andy Williams has been insisting since 1963. In the Western Christian tradition, many denominations hold a special service to support those for whom the holidays hold a mixed bag of emotions. This special service will contain elements of worship, gratitude, prayer, music, sharing and the healing light of hope. Usually held at the time of the winter solstice, December 21st, the traditional service coincides with the feast day of Saint Thomas the Apostle, who struggled to believe in Jesus’s resurrection. Attendees are encouraged to bring a candle, which we will light together at the end of the ceremony to introduce our grief and loss to the light of healing. Register at: https://tinyurl.com/longestseason  Lament Service: Who Is Missing?
November 20, 2021 at 6:00 PM MST Vineyard Boise in the Sanctuary - 4950 N. Bradley, Garden City, ID 83714 The holiday season is a really difficult time for many families who have faced loss. That is especially felt this year in light of the COVID spread and deaths in our community. Join the Vineyard Boise for an evening to come together, weep together, and acknowledge the loss and to lean into hope. For more information visit: https://www.vineyardboise.org/events  The Longest Night in the Longest Year
Monday, December 21, 2020 at 5:00 PM MST / 7:00 PM EST Join Pastor Carol Betts and others to acknowledge and give voice to the many losses we have experienced in 2020 for this virtual, live event, hosted by New Albany UMC. https://tinyurl.com/longestnightlongestyear  Blue Christmas Service
Monday, December 21, 2020 at 6:30 PM MST 504 E Dewey Ave, Nampa, ID 83686 Recognizing that this season may be difficult for many, the staff at Nampa College Church has created a Blue Christmas Service, Monday, December 21. 2020 at 6:30pm. This service of lament, liturgy and remembrance invites us to reflect on the pain, the loneliness and sadness we may feel during Christmas time and offer it to God for healing and transformation. This service is not just for those who have lost loved one in this year. This service is also for those who have faced difficulties with health, a job loss, financial setbacks, and situations that may have caused pain, confusion and fear. You are invited to come as you are, come with your burdens and your concerns, and come knowing that God hears the cries of our laments. This service will follow the COVID recommendations in place at Nampa College Church of the Nazarene. https://www.facebook.com/nampaccn/photos/a.120625651312695/4945511138824098  Covid Memorial Service All are welcome by Grace Fellowship to attend a special online Covid Memorial Service to remember and honor the loved ones lost due to Covid-19. This is open to everyone, no matter who you are or where you are. Visit the Covid Memorial Wall to view stories and submit your own stories. Join the service on Dec 13th at 6pm CST / 7pm EST / 5pm MST / 4pm PST. Visit: https://findgrace.com/covidmemorial The Facebook event can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/events/1801096373379112  Blue Christmas / Noël Blue
Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at 7:30 PM EST / 5:30 PM MST Blue Christmas (sometimes called The Longest Night) in the Western Christian tradition, is a day in the Advent season marking the longest night of the year. On this day, some churches hold a service that honors people that have lost love ones and are experiencing grief. This worship service is traditionally held on or around the longest night of the year, which falls on or about December 21th, the Winter Solstice. The service often includes opportunities for expression of grief, pain and lament as well as an opportunity to focus on the promise of hope. In collaboration with the West Island United Churches, the ORA Loss & Living Program is presenting their Blue Christmas / Noël Bleu virtual program. They invite you to enter this meditative space where grief, loss and hope can be expressed freely and without judgment. Register for this FREE event at: https://tinyurl.com/bleunoel  Mass for Parents Who Have Lost a Child
St. Paul's Catholic Church, 510 W. Roosevelt, Nampa, ID 83686 Are you or someone you know mourning the death of a child because of a miscarriage, accident, terminal illness, or abortion? Join St. Paul's Catholic Church in Nampa, Idaho on Tuesday, Sept 15, 2020—the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows-- for a special 6:30 p.m. Mass for parents who have lost a child. St. Paul's Respect Life Ministry will hand out a flower to grieving parents after the Mass. For more information visit: https://nampacatholic.church/
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