Rabbi Moishe Carlebach, left, and his father Rabbi Alex Carlebach, light the menorah during the first night of Hanukkah event in Toluca Lake on Sunday, Dec 22, 2019. (Photo by Ed Crisostomo, Contributing Photographer)
Here is a sampling of upcoming faith gatherings in the San Fernando Valley area.
Dec 17
Sherman Oaks Lutheran Church: A contemporary service at 5 pm Also, a traditional/blended service, 10 am on Sunday. Rev. Titus Utecht is the pastor. Upcoming: 7 pm Christmas Eve, Dec. 24; 10 am Christmas Day service, Dec. December 25 newsletter, the Oakleaves: bit.ly/3VKgvAx. Location, 14847 Dickens St. 818-789-0215. www.facebook.com/ShermanOaksLutheran. shermanoakslutheran.org
Christmas Drive-Thru at Bethel Church: Event includes Christmas music, a lit-up Nativity, refreshments and a gift giveaway, 6-8 pm Location, 10725 Penrose St., Sun Valley. 818-767-4488.
Las Posadas on Olvera Street: A pre-processing activity for ages 3-12 is a children’s pinata, 6:30 pm (and nightly through Dec. 24, except canceled if raining/floor is wet). The procession begins at the Avila Adobe, 7 pm, through Dec. 24 (a statue of Mary and Joseph are carried, Dec. 17-23; and Mary and Joseph re-enactors, and with baby Jesus statue display on Dec. 24). Music from Grupo Rondalla del Sol, 6:30-8 pm Free sweet bread and champurrado given out after the procession. Location, 845 N. Alameda St., Los Angeles. Map of Olvera Street area: calleolvera.com. Details on the event here: www.olveraevents.com/olvera-street-las-posadas
Dec 18
Fourth Sunday in Advent at Prince of Peace Episcopal Church: Two services, 8 and 10 am The 10 am service is also live streamed on the church’s YouTube here: bit.ly/3mRk9ZK. Location, 5700 Rudnick Ave., Woodland Hills. 818-346-6968. Email: [email protected]. Sunday’s service bulletin: bit.ly/3h83EUS. This week’s newsletter: www.popwh.org/happenings.html
Lessons and Carols – Fourth Sunday in Advent: 9 and 11 am services. Upcoming: Christmas Eve candlelight and communion services, 5 and 11 pm Dec. 24; 10 am service Dec. 25. The church’s December newsletter, the Spire: bit.ly/3iprWzf. First Presbyterian Church of Granada Hills, 10400 Zelzah Ave., Northridge. 818-360-1831. www.fpcgh.org
Confidence in the Good, the Enduring, and the Truth: The Rev. Michael McMorrow delivers the message at the 9 and 10:30 am services. The church’s December theme is “Light.” Center for Spiritual Living, 17622 Chatsworth St., Granada Hills. 818-363-8136. www.facebook.com/csl.granadahills. This week’s details: bit.ly/3j934w9
Names—Fourth Sunday in Advent: The Rev. Timothy Jenks explains the message, based on Isaiah 7 and Matthew 1, at 9:30 am Sermons also are available to watch on the church’s Facebook and website. Canoga Park Lutheran Church, 7357 Jordan Ave. 818-348-5714. www.facebook.com/canoga.park.lutheran.church; www.cplchurch.org
Christmas Celebration – Bethel Church: The special service includes a drama “Open Up Your Heart” and special music, 10 am Gifts will be given to children. Location, 10725 Penrose St., Sun Valley. 818-767-4488.
Real Love – Fourth Sunday in Advent: The Rev. Douglas Dickson delivers the message, based on Luke 1:57-80, at the 10 am service (English-language). The Rev. Ralph Kwon delivers the message at the 11:30 am service (Korean language). December newsletter: bit.ly/3B1RGrO. Northridge United Methodist Church, 9650 Reseda Blvd. 818-886-1555. www.facebook.com/northridgeumc. www.northridgeumc.org
The Sacred Dark – A Service of Rest and Renewal: The Rev. Matthew McHale discusses the topic, with worship associate Todd Covert, 10:30 am Upcoming: Candlelight Christmas Eve, 7 pm Dec. 24. Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church, 7304 Jordan Ave., Canoga Park. 818-887-6101. emersonuuc.org
I Embrace Rejoicing: The Rev. Michelle Hubbard gives her perspective on the topic of the month, based on Luke 2:11, at the 11 am service. Upcoming: Christmas Eve candlelight service, 7 pm Dec. 24. Unity Burbank—Center for Spiritual Awareness, 637 S. Victory Blvd., Burbank. 818-841-4037. Watch the service on Facebook: www.facebook.com/unityburbank. Details on the church and services in the “Words of Light” December newsletter: bit.ly/3FkdqSn
Christmas Concert – On Earth Peace: The Chancel Choir and Orchestra perform, 2 pm A pre-concert talk with actress-singer Diane Bates Burt, 1 pm She discusses the Christmas carols that her father, composer Alfred Burt, wrote and some of which will be performed during the concert. Free admittance. Mask wearing required. Concert is available to watch livestream on the church website. La Canada Presbyterian Church, 626 Foothill Blvd., La Canada Flintridge. 818-790-6708. lacanadapc.org
Chancel Choir Christmas Concert – Northridge United Methodist Church: The concert also includes a performance by the Celebration Ringers, 3 pm Free admission. Donations welcome. 9650 Reseda Blvd. 818-886-1555. December newsletter: bit.ly/3B1RGrO. www.facebook.com/northridgeumc.
Hanukkah Menorah Lighting: Chabad of Toluca Lake holds the event that includes LED Robot Dancers and Hanukkah treats, 4:30 pm Location, parking lot at Wells Fargo Bank, 10225 Riverside Drive (corner of Forman Avenue and Riverside), Toluca Lake. Register to attend: www.chabadoftolucalake.com
Hanukkah Menorah Lighting at Palisades Village: Chabad of Pacific Palisades co-present the event, with Caruso, that includes blessings, the lighting of the first candle for the first night of Hanukkah plus music and Hanukkah food treats, 5 pm Menorah lighting at 6 pm Location, 15225 Palisades Village Lane ( event is on Swarthmore Avenue), Pacific Palisades. palisadesvillageca.com/events/menorah-lighting; www.facebook.com/ChabadPalisades/
Living Nativity—Sherman Oaks Lutheran Church: The church holds the event, 5:30-8 pm December newsletter: bit.ly/3VKgvAx. Location, 14847 Dickens St. 818-789-0215. www.facebook.com/ShermanOaksLutheran. shermanoakslutheran.org
Hanukkah Celebration – Temple Beth Emet: The event includes singing by the congregation’s adult choir and attendees and candle lighting, 7 pm Check the newsletter for details: bit.ly/3iQsqyI. Location, 600 N. Buena Vista St., Burbank. 818-843-4787. www.templebethemet.com
Advent Vespers and Harp Concert: Prayer and music by Paul Baker and Ellie Choate, 7 pm Freewill offering. Holy Spirit Retreat Center, 4316 Lanai Road, Encino. 818-285-3354. Details: bit.ly/3uATLav
Dec 19
Hanukkah in the Foothills: The community is invited to learn about Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, with candle lighting, food, games and music, 5 pm Location, New Hope Community Church, 10438 Oro Vista Ave., Sunland. www.facebook.com/hanukkahinthefoothills/
Hanukkah at the Shoppes – Westlake Village: Chabad of Conejo presents the event with a Grand Menorah lighting, a circus act, children’s activities, Hanukkah treats and live music by Jimmy Gamliel and Yossi Levy, 5:30 pm Location, 30770 Russell Ranch Road. shoppesatwestlakevillage.com/events. www.facebook.com/JewishAcademy
Chabad of the Valley Hanukkah at Universal City Walk: Celebrate Hanukkah with music by Yerachmiel Begun and the Miami Boys Choir and a hanukkiah lighting, 6-9 pm Location, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City. Details: bit.ly/3W2NOih
Dec 20
Hanukkah Menorah Lighting at The Grove: Village Synagogue leads the blessings for the third night of Hanukkah and lighting the menorah, 5:30-7 pm Special guests: Holocaust survivor Joseph Alexander; Montana Tucker; and a performance by Nissim Black. Hanukkah food treats and a “gentle snowfall” are also on the schedule. Location, near the fountain at the shopping center, 189 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles. 323-900-8080. thegrovela.com/events/menorah-lighting; www.facebook.com/villagesynagogue
Hanukkah Menorah Lighting at Westfield Topanga-The Village: Chabad of West Hills hosts the event that includes Hanukkah blessings, lighting candles for the third night of Hanukkah and Hanukkah treats, 5:30 pm Event is within The Village area, Topanga Canyon and Victory boulevards, Woodland Hills. Details: bit.ly/3W2e9xG
Dec 21
Hanukkah Menorah Lighting at the Commons at Calabasas: The Calabasas Shul leads the event with blessings and lighting candles for the fourth night of Hanukkah, 4:30 pm The event also includes activities for children, music and Hanukkah food treats. Location, 4799 Commons Way, Calabasas. 818-637-8922. www.shopcommons.com/events/menorah-lighting/
Hanukkah on the Boulevard – Encino Courtyard: Chabad of the Valley presents the event with lighting a hanukkiah, craft activities, Hanukkah treats and music, 5-7 pm Location, 17401 Ventura Blvd. (at Andasol Avenue), Encino. Make a reservation here: bit.ly/3FCEGeV
Spiral of Light – Winter Solstice Gathering: 6:30 pm Make a reservation to attend by email to Rev. Mike McMorrow at [email protected] (put “Spiral of Light RSVP” in the subject line). Center for Spiritual Living, 17622 Chatsworth St., Granada Hills. 818-363-8136. www.facebook.com/csl.granadahills. Details in the Dec. 7 announcement: bit.ly/3HmFvdl
Homeless Persons’ Inter-Religious Memorial: The Archdiocese of Los Angeles Office of Life, Justice and Peace presents the memorial with Archbishop José H. Gomez and other religious leaders, 7 pm Reservations online requested. Also, check the link for information on donating blankets and other items for the homeless. Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, 555 W. Temple St., Los Angeles. 213-637-7477. lacatholics.org/event/homeless-persons-interreligious-memorial/
Labyrinth Walk – Holy Spirit Retreat Center: Meditative and silent walk, 7 pm Freewill offering. There may be daytime slots available, contact Michael O’ Palko, 818-784-4515. Holy Spirit Retreat Center, 4316 Lanai Road, Encino. 818-285-3354. www.hsrcenter.com/Event/calendar
Dec 22
Rorate Caeli Mass – Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church: A rarely celebrated Advent Mass in the United States will be celebrated with candlelight-only and sacred music, 7 p.m., and also Dec. 23. The Rorate Caeli (“Shower O, Heavens”) masses are also known as “Lady Masses” and more common in Eastern European countries. Location, 5011 White Oak Ave., Encino. 818-342-4686. www.ourladyofgrace.org/
Dec 23
Shabbat at Temple Beth Emet: Rabbi Mark H. Sobel leads the service, 7 pm Check the congregation’s “Chai Times” newsletter for December: bit.ly/3iQsqyI. Location, 600 N. Buena Vista St., Burbank. 818-843-4787. www.templebethemet.com
Send information at least two weeks ahead. [email protected]. 818-713-3708.
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