This time of year, the holiday season and Christmas, can bring back memories of past pain and sorrow. It highlights and heightens new experiences of suffering. For some, this may be a time that has always been difficult. This may be the first Christmas without a loved family member who has recently died. This year, the losses and fears caused by the pandemic impact the Christmas season in many ways. These losses can make us feel alone in the midst of celebrating and joy. We need the space and time to acknowledge our sadness; we need to know that we are not alone. We need encouragement to live the days ahead of us.

This service is designed to recognize and acknowledge these feelings, to give us comfort and support and to think about how this holiday season could be different. This is a time when we can allow feelings of pain, loneliness, worry, sadness, experiences of dark memories, anxiety and fear to be lifted up in faith to The One who can help us bear the burdens and relieve our pain. We are hopeful that we all will find peace in this service and comfort in knowing that we are not alone.

Join the Northern Valley Pastors as they offer a special service on YouTube The bulletin for this service can be found here.