The Longest Night Worship Service is a community offering for those who may find it difficult to celebrate and be joyful during the Advent and Christmas season, due to loss, grief, loneliness, and/or mental/physical/emotional health challenges. The service will be held on the longest night of the year — Thursday, December 21 — at 5:30pm in the chapel at Hinton Rural Life Center, 2330 Hinton Center Road, Hayesville.

Those attending can expect a quiet service that recognizes the dark places in our world and in our lives, offers comfort and grace and prayer for the pain and struggle many are experiencing, and reminds us of the light, hope, and healing love God offers us in the birth of the Savior. There will be opportunities for prayer requests, lighting candles for loved ones, and reflecting on hope through music, Scripture, and readings. The Longest Night Worship Service is offered to the community by First Hayesville United Methodist Church, Oak Forest and Hickory Stand United Methodist churches, and Hinton Rural Life Center. All are welcome.