GALLIPOLIS — The holiday season — generally regarded as the period from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day — is usually a time of good cheer, parties, family gatherings; basically, a chance to relax and have a good time.

However, for many people, the holiday season can be a time of depression, sorrow and deep pain due to the death of a spouse, child or loved one, or separation from family because of military service, family disputes, divorce or a host of other reasons.

The question for many people who suffer from some form of depression or problems dealing with grief and pain is: where can I find relief?

Grace United Methodist Church in Gallipolis is offering a unique service this Sunday evening that is designed to provide help for the hurting.

The Rev. Bill Thomas, who’s been pastor of Grace United Methodist Church for the past year and a half and has been on staff there for nearly five years, said the “Blue Christmas” service is an idea brought to his attention by one of his parishoners, who experienced that type of service while attending church in northern Ohio.

“During this time of the year, the world says, ‘It’s a happy time, be joyful,’ but just because you say that doesn’t mean people feel that, especially people that have lost loved ones,” Thomas said. “It’s hard to go into the holidays knowing what the holidays are supposed to be like, but they’re not. There’s a need to know that God is with us and that God is part of all that happens.”

Thomas said the message that he wants those who attend the service to understand is that God is there and does care about their situation and wants to help.

“When Christ came, they said he would be called ‘Emmanuel, God with us,’ and through this service we want people to see how God was with us in the midst of suffering and the midst of pain,” Thomas said. “And He wants to walk with each of us in the midst of that. So we will concentrate on that aspect and how God works through those things, and is with us every step of the way.”

Thomas said the service will feature scripture readings that focus on God as comforter.

“We will read from scriptures that show that Jesus wept at times, that he experienced sorrow and the same emotions that we do,” Thomas said. “In the midst of that, we want to make it known that it’s not negative to have those feelings. We all experience them at some time or place. Some of it is just more prominent during the holiday season, especially when you’ve lost a loved one.”

The “Blue Christmas” service is scheduled to begin at 7:15 p.m. Sunday at Grace United Methodist Church. The church is located at 600 Second Ave. in Gallipolis. For information, call 446-0555.

(On the Internet: www.graceumcgallipolis.org)