A Service of Lament at the Close of 2020

Father John is on annual leave, so a big welcome back to our archdeacon, Jane Steen. Jane preached at our service on Christmas Day and will be leading our service this morning. As you know, we will not be holding our traditional watchnight service this year. 

2020 has been a challenging year with the whole world dealing with the worst pandemic in 100 years. This is our last service of 2020, so we will be offering the year to God and acknowledging how difficult it has been for most of us. While we celebrate the joy of Christmas this morning, our service will also reflect how hard 2020 has been. We call this a lament, a time to take stock and to express how we are struggling. 

Our service next Sunday will include a time to look forward to 2021 with hope and expectation. During our service next Sunday we will rededicate our lives to God’s service. But today, we come before our Father to thank him for the gift of Jesus and to bring to him our experiences during this year dominated by COVID-19.