A service of hope and remembering will be at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at Albert Lea’s Grace Lutheran Church.

The community is invited to participate in the Blue Christmas worship service event.

“There are many in our community who will find it difficult to be joyful this Christmas season because they are celebrating their first Christmas, or second, or fifth, without a loved one,” said the Rev. Andrea Myers, associate pastor at Grace Lutheran Church.

Grace Lutheran Church realized many struggle this time of year in the midst of the holiday season and developed a special Blue Christmas service to cater to those dealing with grief, loss, stress or depression during this time of year. This is the third year the church has offered a Blue Christmas service. Myers heard about this kind of worship service taking place in other parts of the country, and saw an opportunity in her congregation.

“As the days grow shorter, many of us feel the darkness very deeply. We need a space and time to acknowledge our sadness and concern. We need to know that we are not alone. And we need encouragement that the darkness will not last forever,” Myers said.

Falling on one of the longest nights of the year, this simple, intimate communion service will proclaim Jesus Christ as the light who cannot be overcome by the darkness of this world. Through prayer, singing and the lighting of candles, participants will be reminded of God’s presence with those who struggle, and God’s message of hope.

Volunteers involved in the congregation’s Parish Nurse ministry are active supporters of the Blue Christmas service. In addition to helping lead, they provide light refreshments for fellowship following the service. Volunteers also help distribute prayer shawls, which are knit or crocheted by members as a tangible reminder of prayers for those dealing with health or grief concerns.

Grace Lutheran Church is a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America located at 918 Garfield Ave. in Albert Lea. Founded in 1946, its mission statement is “Bringing people together and becoming disciples for Christ.” The building his handicapped accessible, with an elevator entrance located in the north parking lot.