Longest Night Service set for Dec. 21

December 12, 2024 1:30 am
The Longest Night tree is set and decorated in the Congregational Church Sanctuary. “Thank you Ken and Darlene Olson for sharing your lovely trees with us every year!” “During our Longest Night service community members will have a chance to add ornaments in memory of their loved ones.”
The Longest Night tree is set and decorated in the Congregational Church Sanctuary. “Thank you Ken and Darlene Olson for sharing your lovely trees with us every year!” “During our Longest Night service community members will have a chance to add ornaments in memory of their loved ones.”

Pastor Warren Johnson from the Congregational Church, along with Pastor Steven Owen from the Assembly of God, will bring words of comfort at the annual Longest Night service. It will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, at the Congregational Church, 280 S. Spartan Ave.

This year has been a strain on many of our community members for several different reasons. More than ever, we need the light of Jesus Christ to bring joy and hope to our hearts. The days are getting shorter and the holiday season is upon us. We are supposed to be happy and cheerful, but for many in our community, this is not a happy time of the year. Maybe it is the first Christmas without a loved one, or you have lost someone in the past and the holidays bring on feelings of loneliness, Maybe you are taking care of a family member that is sick or in and out of the hospital. Layoffs and lost of employment make us feel empty inside. Our community and the surrounding communities are experiencing an exceptional amount of loss and loneliness due to some circumstances that are shocking to our everyday lives.

The Blue Christmas or Longest Night service is a reassuring time to get together and know that you are not alone. There are people that love you and support you on your life journey no matter where you might be.

This is the 31st year that we have been gathering for the Longest Night service. Please bring an ornament in remembrance of a loved one that you can place on the memory tree. Members of our community have been putting ornaments on this tree since 1993. If you bring an ornament to put on the tree please write on it of whom it is for. We will also be lighting candles to reflect the lives of those we miss or long for, or to symbolize giving our burdens to Jesus.

This is a nondenominational/ecumenical event where everyone is welcome. So please come and support one another as the light of the world. We can overcome the darkness, or what ever else might be holding you down by joining together.

Blessings, Comfort and Peace

Pastor Warren Johnson