December 15, 2025 | 7:00pm
LOVE UNBOUND:
A SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE
Welcome to an evening honoring grief, loss, and the fullness of life in this sacred time of year. We gather together to remember the presence of the Sacred in all of our emotions and experiences. We offer this service to all who long for a space in which wounds are named and sadness is welcomed, regardless of religious tradition or experience. We pray that this offering may be a blessing upon you.
There is a special time set aside for lighting a candle in the sanctuary toward the end of the service in memory of a loved one or in acknowledgement of something else in your life. Following the service, you are invited to choose a candle of remembrance lit during the evening to take home with you.
ENTERING INTO PRAYER
Prelude: The First Sound Was Water (Bawmann/Waite)
A Prayer: A Blessing Prayer in Difficult Times (John O’Donohue)
A Song: Orpheus (Sara Bareilles)
THE LIGHT AND SHADOW OF ADVENT
I. The Candle of Despair & Hope
This is the candle of despair and hope. We acknowledge the presence of darkness and light in this season.
A Reading: The Peace of Wild Things (Wendell Berry)
A Song: Dark Night of the Soul (Eliza Gilkyson)
II. The Candle of Distress & Peace
This is the candle of distress and peace. With its light, we honor the depth and complexity of life.
A Poem: Lament Psalm Twenty-Seven (Ann Weems)
A Song: Break Wide Open (Rachael Kilgour)
III. The Candle of Sorrow & Joy
This is the candle of sorrow and joy. It burns for our anguish and for our bliss.
A Poem: Go to the Limits of Your Longing (Rainer Maria Rilke)
A Song: Grieving (Leith Ross)
IV. The Candle of Apathy & Love
This is the candle of apathy and love. We awaken our senses to the cold and pray for grace to open and warm our hearts.
A Reading: every time i ever said i want to die (Andrea Gibson)
A Song: She Comes Without Answer (Bawmann/Waite)
Silent Meditation (5 minutes)
A TIME OF REMEMBRANCE
A Poem: In Love with the World (Mark Nepo)
CANDLE LIGHTING CEREMONY
At this time, you may come forward and light one candle in remembrance of friends and loved ones or in honor of any loss, sadness, or experience in your life. If desired, you may name an experience or a loved one aloud.
Blessing: A Blessing (Kate Bowler)
CLOSING
A Song: Apocalypse Lullaby (Annabelle Chvostek)
Benediction: This is What Was Bequeathed Us (Gregory Orr)
Postlude
SERVICE PARTICIPANTS
Adam Waite, Minister of Music and piano/vocals
Phoebe Bawmann, service curation, vocals/harmonium
Juli Davidson, bass/vocals
Leena Waite, violin/vocals
Shelley Goldberg, vocals/guitar
Amy Young, vocals/banjo
Rev. Dr. Jason Hays, liturgist
Rev. Dr. Lorraine Leist, liturgist
Cate Thieme, sound
John Goerner, video
ADVENT & CHRISTMAS AT MONTVIEW
Advent
Service of Lessons & Carols
December 21 | 8:30 & 11am
Sanctuary & 11am Livestream
Christmas Tea & Children’s Craft Fair
December 21 | 9:30am | Fellowship Hall
Christmas Eve
2pm & 4pm – Family Service
Sanctuary & 4pm Livestream
6pm & 8pm – Candlelight
Sanctuary & 6pm Livestream
7:15pm – Witness to the Light
(bring a candle and gather along Montview Blvd)
10pm – Candlelight with Choir
Sanctuary
December 28
One Service at 11am
Sanctuary
GRIEF EDUCATION SERIES
JANUARY 4, 11 & 19 | 12:15-1:30PM
(IN THE MCCOLLUM ROOM)
Montview, in collaboration with Pastor Lorraine Leist, is offering a three-part series exploring how grief shows up in our lives and faith journeys. Each session will include expert voices, opportunities for connection, and space to discern interest in an ongoing grief support group. Come to one session or all three.
MONTVIEW BOULEVARD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
1980 Dahlia Street, Denver, CO 80220
303.355.1651 | www.montview.org