Loved ones that were lost and are not around anymore to celebrate Christmas were remembered and honored Sunday night during the Longest Night/Blue Christmas service at Trinity Lutheran Church, Pottsville.
The service was open to the public and not to just those who go to the church.
Assistant Pastor Peggy Sue Pfeffer said that this was the first time the service was held at the church.
Running the service, in addition to Pfeffer and the Rev. Harold Hand from Trinity Lutheran, was the Rev. Jeff Colarossi from United Presbyterian Church, Pottsville.
"It's a worthwhile thing, Christmas, as much as Easter," Colarossi said.
Throughout the service, 25 people in attendance sat in a circle and participated in prayers, scripture and music,
"We sit in a round to remind us that we are never truly alone," Pfeffer said.
Later, four large candles were lit to honor the loved ones lost. The candles represented grief, courage, memories and love.
All were then asked to light a taper if they were comfortable and to say the name of the person they are remembering.
"The tapers represent your burdens, your griefs, your sorrows and all those things that make Christmas a blue time for you," Pfeffer said.
One after one, people came up to light a taper and place it in the sand, but only one person said a name.
John Sullivan, Pottsville, said he was remembering his wife, Sally, who passed away three years ago, and his brother, Dave, who passed away four years ago.
"I was blessed to have a great wife and not anybody ever said a bad word about her," Sullivan said. "I'm trying to live up to her tradition. She loved Christmas and her parents loved Christmas. People knew Christmas was coming when they got Sally's Christmas card. She had them out by Thanksgiving."
After all had lit the tapers, a center candle was lit which represents "a common center" in everyone's lives, as Pfeffer said that "the Lord offers us hope."
All in attendance then read the benediction together and the service ended with music, refreshments and the chance to converse with others.