The holiday season is, for many, a time of joy and cheer. Religious organizations in McLean offer churchgoers a myriad of services to celebrate Christmas with warmth, festive music, and happy expectations.

For those grieving, sad, or lost in depression, this time of year can be especially difficult and isolating. Charles Wesley United Methodist Church in McLean recognizes this, and offers  "A Blue Christmas Service" for those who are suffering.

The Other Side of Sadness: A Blue Christmas Prayer Service will be held at Wesley UMC on Monday, December 13 at 7:30 p.m. Deborah R. Cook, RN, will lead the intimate Christmas observance.

Cook is an Oncology Patient Education Coordinator with Life with Cancer, an organization within Inova Cancer Services that helps to deliver information and care to patients and their families.

Support for all—including those battling disease—is the foundation of the Blue Christmas service. A statement from Wesley UMC sums up the aims of this unique gathering: "This quiet reflective service accepts each one of us where we are in our lives; honoring our feelings of darkness while holding out the promised light of healing and hope."

Wesley UMC is also welcoming of those for whom Christmas is a joyous time: "If this season is one of excitement, anticipation and happiness for you, please come bearing the light of healing love for those in the congregation, our community, our country and our world for whom this is a difficult holiday season."

In addition, Trinity United Methodist Church will be conducting a Service of Hope and Healing for congregants experiencing grief, sadness or loss on Wednesday, December 15, at 7 p.m. Like Blue Christmas, the service at Trinity offers an opportunity to mediate and reflect through prayer, scripture, and music. All are welcome.

Here is a list of all Christmas services planned at McLean churches. If we missed you, please e-mail me.

(In alphabetical order)

Charles Wesley United Methodist Church

6817 Dean Drive

www.charleswesleyumc.org 

(703) 356 – 6336

Monday, December 13:

7:30 p.m. The Other Side of Sadness: A Blue Christmas Prayer Service

Christmas Eve:

7 p.m.: Traditional Candlelight Communion Service

Chesterbrook United Methodist Church

1711 Kirby Road

new.chesterbrookumc.org

(703) 356-7100

Christmas Eve:

7 p.m.: Candlelight Communion Service

Holy Transfiguration ChurchHoly Transfiguration Melkite Greek-Catholic Church

8501 Lewinsville Road

holytransfiguration.org

(703) 734-9566

Christmas Eve:

10:30 a.m.: Divine Liturgy

10 p.m.: Orthros

11 p.m.: Divine Liturgy

Lewinsville Presbyterian Church

1724 Chain Bridge Road

lewinsville.org

(703) 356-7200

Christmas Eve:

4:30 p.m.: Family Service of Worship

7:30 and 10:30 p.m.: Candlelight Communion services with prelude music 20 minutes prior to start of service

McLean Baptist Church

1367 Chain Bridge Road

www.mcleanbaptist.org

(703) 356-8080

Christmas Eve:

7:30 p.m.: Traditional Worship 

11:00 p.m.: Candlelight Communion Worship

McLean Presbyterian Church

1020 Balls Hill Road

www.mcleanpres.org

(703) 821-0800

Christmas Eve:

5 p.m.: Family Christmas Eve Service
7 p.m. Christmas Eve Recital
7:30 p.m.: Candlelight Service

Redeemer Lutheran Church

1545 Chain Bridge Road

redeemermclean.org

(703) 356-3567

Christmas Eve:

4 p.m.: Family Worship

6 p.m., 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.: Traditional candlelight service

Christmas Day:

10 a.m.: Christmas Day service

St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church

1830 Kirby Road

www.stdunstans.net

(703) 356-7533

Christmas Eve:

5 p.m.: Children's Christmas Pageant and Eucharist

10:30 p.m.: Christmas Eve service with music

Christmas Day:

10 a.m.:  Christmas Day service in the Chapel

Saint Luke Catholic Church
7001 Georgetown Pike  

www.saintlukemclean.org

(703) 356 1255

Christmas Eve:
6 p.m., 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.: Vigil, Solemnity of Christmas (30 minute prelude of carols and music before each Mass)

Christmas Day:
9 a.m. and 11 a.m.: Solemnity of Christmas (15 minute prelude of carols and music before each Mass)

St. John the Beloved Catholic Church

6420 Linway Terrace

www.stjohncatholicmclean.org

(703) 356-7016

Christmas Eve:

5:00 p.m.: Mass

Midnight: Mass

St. John's Episcopal Church
6715 Georgetown Pike

www.stjohnsmclean.org
(703) 356-4902

Christmas Eve:

4 p.m., 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.: Holy Eucharist Service (30 minute prelude of music before each Service)

Christmas Day:

10 a.m.: Holy Eucharist Service

Shiloh Baptist Church 

8310 Turning Leaf Lane

www.sbcmclean.org

(703) 893-8982

Wednesday, December 22nd

7 p.m.:  Christmas Worship Celebration

Trinity United Methodist Church

1205 Dolley Madison Boulevard

www.umtrinity.org

(703) 356-3312

Wednesday, December 15

7 p.m.: Service of Hope & Healing

Christmas Eve:

5 p.m.: Family Service with Pageant

8 p.m. and 10 p.m.: Candlelight service