Van Orsdel holding third Blue Christmas service

Havre Van Orsdel Methodist Church is hosting its third annual Blue Christmas Service to be held Sunday, starting at 7 p.m.

“It is called Blue Christmas because it’s not necessarily always a joyous time of year for folks particularly for those who have had major losses in their life through year,” the Rev. William “Mac” McGrew, the pastor at Van Orsdel, said. “That loss can be anything from the loss of a job to being laid off, going into retirement or losing a member of the family.

He said when experiencing a loss, it can be difficult to be joyous at a time when people are running around and saying, “be happy” and “be joyous.”

The service will take place in the church’s fireside room and will include a time of singing worship songs and hymns, reading of scripture, prayer time, the lighting of candles and ending the service with a blessing.

“Blue Christmas is a time to acknowledge those losses that we have encountered,” he said. “It doesn’t have to mean that year, it can be losses that we have had throughout our lives that we remember the good times that we had, particularly with the death of someone.”

He added that past years hadn’t seen a high number in attendance, but everyone in the community is welcome.

“If you are not feeling joyous at this time of year, for whatever reason, this is a service for you,” McGrew said.

Van Orsdel Methodist Church is located at 410 Fifth Ave.