Rev. Dolly Jacobs
Associate Pastor for Pastoral Care
The pastors invite you to join us for a special service, The Longest Night, on our Advent and FPC Worship Services playlists, beginning today at 10 am.
Today, December 21, marks the longest night of the year. After this past year, that longest night may bring up spiritual and physical loss for you and your family. The service welcomes all who yearn to recognize and grieve the darkness they have experienced this year. We remember that our Biblical ancestors cried out to God in the chaos and darkness and felt God’s presence. We give thanks to God for comfort and peace and pray for God’s light to shine into our darkness, offering hope and love in the days to come.
In particular, the First Presbyterian pastoral staff recognizes your grief in the loss of a loved one during the year 2020. As you know well, that loss comes in waves where times of solitude can bring loneliness as one searches for God’s presence. Our hope is that this Longest Night service will offer you time to remember and experience the presence of God’s healing love. Our time will be spent reading scriptures, lighting candles, offering prayers, and singing verses of hymns that acknowledge our grief as well as affirm the wonderful blessings of the Advent and Christmas season.
You may watch the service starting today, at a time that is convenient for you. As you prepare for it, we encourage you to set a space in your home where you can light candles of remembrance and hope.
We look forward to connecting with you in 2021. God be with you and all whom you love.
Jill Duffield, Senior Pastor
Neil Dunnavant, Executive Pastor
Dolly Jacobs, Associate Pastor for Pastoral Care
Doug McLeroy, Parish Associate for Pastoral Care
Newton Cowan, Pastoral Care
Maria Hanlin, Pastoral Care
Keith Dove, Sid & Cathy Batts Pastoral Resident
PS: On December 21, the Christmas Star is the closest it has been to earth in 800 years, a scientific and historic happening!
