Blue Christmas: Healing in the Midst of Grief at Immanuel Lutheran Church-Palatine Saturday, December 20th at 6:30 p.m.

"Blue Christmas" is more than an Elvis Presley song. The pastoral staff at Immanuel Lutheran knows this. The sad reality is that many people are truly hurting during the holiday season, whether due to a death of a loved one, job loss, depression or a variety of other reasons. There is a place for those who are not "jolly" this Christmas. Everyone in the community, regardless of religious affiliation, is invited to join the Reverend Thomas Acton at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Palatine on Saturday, December 20th, at 6:30 p.m., for a very special worship service especially designed for those in the midst of grief.

"Blue Christmas is all about experiencing the reassuring touch of Jesus when no one else seems to understand. Immanuel held a well-received Blue Christmas service last year, and though the content is new for this year, this message remains the same," says Thomas Acton, senior pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church. Pastor Tom has more than 30 years of counseling and pastoral ministry experience and will share a message for people who are experiencing hurt and sadness during the holidays. He lost his mother-in-law last year and is still suffering the effects of lymphoma, so he knows how important it is to be supported with love and encouragement from those who know what it is like to have loved and lost.

The staff at Immanuel offers an open invitation, "If you are feeling blue or have lost someone in your life, or if you want to care for those who have, this service is for you."

Immanuel Lutheran also holds a full slate of Christmas Services, as well as a New Year's Eve Service:

• Blue Christmas: Healing in the Midst of Grief - December 20st, at 6:30 p.m.

• Christmas Eve Candlelight Services with Holy Communion - 3:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m. & 11:00 p.m.

• Christmas Day Service with Holy Communion - 10:00 a.m.

• New Year's Eve Service Holy Communion - 5:00 p.m.

Immanuel Lutheran Church & School is located at 200 North Plum Grove Road (at Wood Street) in downtown Palatine, just two blocks east of the Palatine Metra Train Station.

For more information, please call the church office at 847-359-1549 or visit www.immanuelpalatine.org.