LIMA, OH (WLIO) - As the year comes to an end, some have experienced loss and grief this year and a local church opened its doors to provide healing and comfort to those in need.
The St. Luke's Evangelical Lutheran Church held its annual "Blue Christmas" service Wednesday afternoon to help those suffering from loss and to remember those who have passed on. The service provides spiritual healing with prayer readings and hymns. While Christmas can be a time of joy and merriment, it's not always the case for those dealing with loss, and St. Luke's aims to help those having trouble finding joy during the holidays.
"Well, I would hope that they would take with them, that sense that even in the midst of whatever heartfelt grief that they're experiencing, that they would know that God is with them. And that God, because God is with them, they do have hope, restoration is possible, that there can be a future. Because sometimes in this time of the year, folks don't see that at all. And to not see Christmas as this dreaded time, but a time also of peace and joy and hope," stated Pastor David Westphal, St. Luke's Lutheran Church.
This was the 2nd year of the Blue Christmas service after the COVID pandemic and was the 12th total year of having the annual service.
