Advent Day 19 – Joy – Stephen Ministry

Lament and Hope in the Shepherd’s Care 
Psalm 80:1-7
“Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.” (Psalm 80:3)

Advent is a season of contrasts—a time when the joyful anticipation of Christ’s coming mingles with the recognition of the world’s deep brokenness. Psalm 80:1-7 gives voice to this tension, inviting us to cry out to God in the face of pain, loss, and despair. The psalmist pleads with the “Shepherd of Israel,” begging for restoration and the light of God’s face to shine upon a people burdened by sorrow.

In the life of the church, this psalm finds tangible expression in the work of Stephen Ministry. Stephen Ministers are lay caregivers who walk alongside those in times of grief, crisis, and uncertainty. They listen, pray, and offer support—not with easy answers, but with a compassionate presence that reflects the Shepherd’s care. For someone facing the loss of a loved one, a major life transition, or the weight of chronic illness, a Stephen Minister can be a source of comfort and a reminder that they are not alone in their struggles.
The Darkest Night Service extends this ministry of presence to the entire community. Often held near the winter solstice—the longest night of the year—this service provides space for those who struggle to find joy during the holiday season. Grief, loneliness, and unfulfilled longings often feel sharper against the backdrop of Christmas cheer, and the Darkest Night Service acknowledges these emotions, making room for lament. Through prayers, candles, and moments of quiet reflection, this sacred gathering invites participants to bring their pain to God, trusting that even in the darkest night, God’s light is not extinguished.

Psalm 80 reminds us that lament is not an act of despair but an expression of faith. To cry out, “Restore us, O God,” is to believe that God hears us and desires to bring healing and renewal. Lament allows us to name the brokenness around us, while hope calls us to trust in God’s promise to make all things new. This balance of honesty and trust is at the heart of both Stephen Ministry and the Darkest Night Service, where the church becomes a place of refuge for those who need to encounter God’s Shepherd-like care.

As we journey through Advent, we are called to embrace this rhythm of lament and hope in our own lives. We acknowledge the pain and brokenness we see in the world, in our communities, and in our hearts. Yet we also hold fast to the promise that the coming of Christ brings light and restoration. Whether we find ourselves in the role of the psalmist, crying out for help, or in the role of a caregiver, extending God’s light to others, we are invited to participate in God’s work of healing and renewal.

Psalm 80 also reminds us that God’s restoration is communal. The psalmist’s cry is not just for personal healing but for the restoration of the whole people of God. In the same way, both Stephen Ministry and the Darkest Night Service point us toward the collective nature of hope and healing. When we bear one another’s burdens, we embody the Shepherd’s care and create spaces where God’s face can shine through us.

Prayer: Shepherd of Israel, you hear the cries of your people and hold their sorrows in your heart. Thank you for the gift of Stephen Ministers, who embody your compassion and care for those in need. We praise you for the sacred space of the Darkest Night Service, where we can lay our burdens before you in honesty and trust. Shine your face upon us, O God, and restore us with your light. In moments of grief and despair, help us to see your presence and feel your comfort. Give us the courage to lament, trusting that you hear our cries and hold our pain. We pray for those who serve as caregivers, that they may be strengthened by your Spirit. We pray for those who enter this season with heavy hearts,
that they may find hope in your promise of renewal. As we wait for the coming of Christ,
help us to carry your light into the darkness, becoming vessels of your hope, peace, and joy. In the name of Jesus Christ, the one who restores and renews, we pray. Amen.

Action: This week, take time to participate in a ministry of care. Write a note of encouragement to someone in your life who may be struggling. Since, our church as a Stephen Ministry, consider how you might support their work, whether by offering your prayers, learning more about becoming a Stephen Minister, or referring someone in need of care.  

If you feel the weight of your own struggles, consider attending our Darkest Night Service, tonight at 6pm or setting aside time for honest lament and prayer. Reflect on how God’s light is breaking through the darkness, even in small and quiet ways, and seek to be part of that light for others.