While Advent is a season of hope and Christmas is a season of joy, not everyone feels hopeful or like celebrating. Grief, illness, aging, depression, loneliness, unemployment, and loss are magnified. Even those who are not struggling with losses may feel the stress of preparations and expectations around Christmas time. In this disconnected time of COVID pandemic, many are feeling isolated from friends and family.
The Longest Night service provides a time and place of solace. We come together seeking healing and room to share grief, sadness, loneliness, or confusion when these emotions often feel out of place during the holidays. Within this service, the text of the hymn “Lost in the night” (ELW 243) gives us words to express our deepest pleas for God’s mercy and salvation. Together we cry out: “Christ is coming soon! Come and save us soon!”
Lutherans from around Calgary and area churches are participating in Sunday’s service through Zoom (online and by phone). You are welcome to turn your video on but we ask that you keep your microphone on mute for the duration of the service. While constrained to be physically distant in our homes at this time, still we can see each other on screen and share in community through the gift of technology.
Please prepare for this service by bringing a candle and something to light it with.
