The Christmas season can be sad, stressful and any number of emotions that don’t give us warm fuzzies.

The Warren Area Ministerial Association will be offering opportunities to pause all that each week during the upcoming Advent season.

Noon services and luncheons are scheduled for four straight Thursdays, Dec. 2, Dec. 9, Dec. 16 and Dec. 23 and will take place at First United Methodist Church, 200 Market St.

The services are designed to conclude by 12:30 so people who need to return to work can attend and have lunch.

“The Holiday Season can be a painful time for some,” organizers said in a release to the Times Observer. “It may be the first Christmas without a loved family member who has recently died; it may be a time that has always been difficult. The constant refrain on the radio and television, in shopping malls and churches, about the happiness of the season, about getting together with family and friends, reminds many people of what they have lost or have never had.”

It’s possible to feel “very alone in the midst of the celebrating and spending” and, in response, the first of the noon services will be a Blue Christmas service.

“We hope this especially themed worship experience will help, comfort, and share God’s love,” organizers say.

For that service, Dr. Mark Hecht and Rev. Jeff Ewing will speak, assisted by Tina Square with music by Michele Sandbery. A soup and dessert luncheon will be hosted after by The Crossing for a donation of $6.

The Rev. Kyle Pollen will speak on Dec. 9 with Rev. Dorothy Hilliard as liturgist and music by Ruth Nelson and Carol Hammer.

The Rev. Mathew Scott will speak on Dec. 16 with Rev. Aaron Reinard as liturgist and music courtesy of Mark Nelson, Ruth Nelson, Pam Lewis, Patty Hannold and Heidi Ketzko.

The Rev. Rick Rohlin will speak on Dec. 23 with Rev. Doug McCracken as liturgist and music from Michele Sandberg and the FUMC Madrigals.