First Presbyterian River Forest Offers "the Darkest Night" Service On December 20

RIVER FOREST, Ill. - Dec. 11, 2023 - PRLog -- The First Presbyterian Church of River Forest will offer a "Darkest Night" service on Wednesday, December 20, at 7:00 pm., to provide comfort for people who have lost loved ones, are experiencing grief, or struggle for any reason during the Christmas season. The First Pres Darkest Night service provides safe, sacred space to grieve but also to experience hope.

"For people who are grieving or in pain, the forced joyfulness surrounding Christmas can be very difficult," said Donna Marsh, one of the pastors at First Pres River Forest. "The Darkest Night service is a place to be authentic, to acknowledge sadness and to remember there is a light in the midst of the darkness."

"Unlike traditional Christmas services," Paul Detterman, pastor and lead musician for the service, explains, "this service will be a quiet and peaceful place to interact with scripture, music and meditations focusing on the comfort God offers during dark times: a time to acknowledge the sadness and darkness with the reassuring light and hope of Jesus."

The Stephen Ministry team at First Pres will be leading the service, along with pastors Marsh and Detterman, members of the First Pres Choir, and harpist Cheryl Rotundo. The service is open to all, regardless of religious affiliation.

About First Presbyterian Church of River Forest

First Presbyterian Church of River Forest has been an integral part of the River Forest community since 1887. First Pres, serving communities from Chicago to Elmhurst, is dedicated to growing as apprentices of Jesus Christ to reflect God's love.

For more information, contact First Pres at (708) 366-5822, or visit firstpresrf.org (http://www.firstpresrf.org/).