May 13, 2024
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Holidays not merry and bright? Help is available

Churches in Channahon and New Lenox offer Blue Christmas programs

By Denise M. Baran-Unland
Not everyone feels "merry and bright" during the holidays. In response, the Channahon Methodist Church and Peace Lutheran Church in New Lenox are each offering Blue Christmas programs in 2021.

Not everyone feels "merry and bright" during the holidays. In response, the Channahon Methodist Church and Peace Lutheran Church in New Lenox are each offering Blue Christmas programs in 2021. (Denise Unland)

The holiday season is a struggle for many people for various reasons – and two local churches want to help.

Peace Lutheran Church in New Lenox will offer a special liturgy during its regular Saturday service at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 18. This Shortest Day/Longest Night observance, also known as a Blue Christmas service, will include special readings and prayers for people “who have experienced loss, are depressed, or just need a few words of comfort,” according to Deb Howell, co-leader of the Peace Lutheran Church worship committee

The Channahon United Methodist Church is starting a new support group, “Broken to Beautiful,” and it will hold its first meeting from 2 to 3 p.m. Dec. 20 at the Channahon United Methodist Church, located at 24751 W. Eames St. in Channahon. For information, call 815-467-5275.

These programs open to anyone who is hurting or stressed. Reasons may includ financial problems, family conflict, recovery, or grief from any kind of loss: a job or a loved one through death, divorce, or military deployment, news releases from the churches said.

Dave Hedlin, pastor of Peace Lutheran Church, said any feedback he hears regarding the Shortest Day/Longest Night observance is that it’s “meaningful” because the service acknowledges that holidays aren’t always “Merry Christmas” to some people, Hedlin said.

“Grief is especially notable during the holidays,” Hedlin said. “And to affirm that it’s OK to miss someone at a time like this is a postive for many people.”

Of course, sometimes people just aren’t feeling the holiday spirit for reasons they can’t identify. And that’s OK, too, Hedlin said.

“Everyone is supposed to be feeling cheerful,” Hedlin said. “So when you’re feeling blue, it’s a double whammy. I think it’s OK to affirm, again, that it’s not, ‘Shame on you.’ It’s how life is. Sometimes it hurts.”

Peace Lutheran Church is located at 1900 East Lincoln Highway, across the street from Lincoln-Way Central High School, in New Lenox. The Saturday evening services are held outside in the church parking lot. Sound available by tuning to 88.3 FM or via live stream on Facebook Live. The video will also be available after the service on the Peace Lutheran Church Facebook page.

For information, call the church office at 815-485-5327.