When the Christmas Season Is the Game, Carol Is the Name : Rejoicing in a Chorus of Choir Music

Christmas is a time of celebration--and what better way to celebrate than with carols and other seasonal music? Each year, churches in the San Fernando Valley offer a variety of concerts, and choral programs can be heard at local shopping malls. A sample of such events follows--all free to the public unless otherwise specified.

Randy Hall, minister of the Church of Christ in Woodland Hills, welcomes people interested in attending a chili supper and Christmas singing program Wednesday. Supper will begin at 6:15 p.m., and a 1-hour a cappella song service, which will also include Biblical readings and poetry, will follow at 7:30 p.m. (23363 Burbank Blvd., 818-348-3712).

“Everlasting Light,” a Christmas cantata with musical accompaniment, will be presented by the First Baptist Church of North Hollywood choir Sunday at 11 a.m. At 7 p.m. Dec. 23, the church will offer “A Case of the Missing Christmas,” a musical that concludes with a Christmas pageant. Directed by Ernie Lively, this contemporary show combines comedic and serious elements. After the 45-minute program, there will be refreshments and a visit by Santa Claus (11210 Otsego St., 818-763-4356).

“Christmas Around the World,” a program of Christmas carols from all parts of the globe, will be presented by the choirs of the First Baptist Church of Reseda at 5 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday. An orchestra will accompany more than 100 cast members. During the 90-minute program’s intermission, refreshments typical of the countries represented will be served. Pastor Jim Jansen directs the events (18644 Sherman Way, 818-881-3651).

The 26th annual “Living Christmas Tree,” with more than 200 performers, will be presented by the First Baptist Church of Van Nuys at 8 tonight, 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday, and 2 and 6 p.m. Sunday. The program is made up of secular and religious melodies. Choreographed by Alex Plasschaert, this year’s show has a 1940s theme and utilizes a genuine electric train on loan from the L.A. Live Steamers. During the second portion of the presentation, 160 singers will climb the Christmas tree, which is more than 30 feet high, and sing classical and contemporary Christmas carols. The show concludes with a performance of the “Hallelujah Chorus.” Tickets are $9 (14800 Sherman Way, 818-787-4450).

Contemporary and traditional Christmas carols can be enjoyed at “The Music of Christmas,” a 2-hour concert by the choir of the First Foursquare Church of Van Nuys/The Church on the Way at 4 and 7 p.m. Saturday and 3 and 6 p.m. Sunday. Bass Glenn Shoemaker will sing a selection from the “Messiah.” The main sanctuary, which is seasonally decorated with two 13-foot Christmas trees and numerous poinsettias, seats more than 2,000 people. Conducted by Jim Barnett, the musical program also features a congregational sing-along (14300 Sherman Way, 818- 786-7090).

The “Many Moods of Christmas,” a 90-minute caroling program, will be presented by the cathedral choir of the First Lutheran Church of Northridge at 4 p.m. Sunday. The 40-voice choir will be accompanied by a 15-piece orchestra. Light refreshments will be served after the show. A donation of $5 is requested (18355 Roscoe Blvd., 818-885-6861).

The chancel choir of the First Presbyterian Church of Van Nuys, under the direction of Ethmer Roten, will present the Christmas cantata “Call His Name Jesus” at 10 a.m. Sunday as part of the regular worship service. A full orchestra will accompany the singers, and Spanish translations will be available (14701 Friar St., 818- 786-6230).

Clayton Erb, minister of music, will lead the 100-voice choir of Grace Community Church, accompanied by a 35-piece orchestra, in its annual Christmas concert of mostly traditional Christmas carols at 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday and 6 p.m. Sunday. Classical guitarist Christopher Parkening, baritone Jubilant Sykes and tenor Daniel Huff are among the performers. The concert lasts 1 hour and 40 minutes. Although tickets are free, they must be picked up in advance. The church seats more than 3,000 people (13248 Roscoe Blvd., Sun Valley, 818-782-5920).

A soup supper and musical recital will be offered at Luther Memorial Church at 6 p.m. Thursday. The 30-minute musical presentation, which will focus on folk music for Advent and Christmas, features classical guitarist Riner Scivaly and tenor Lorn Brown. A service of evening prayer will conclude the program. Call for reservations. (2401 N. Brighton St., Burbank, 818-842-9379).

The 70-minute Christmas concert at St. Francis De Sales Roman Catholic Church will feature holiday selections by the parish choir, 55+ Club, CCD, Knights of Columbus glee club and children from the parish school, as well as a congregational sing-along. Organist Stephen Park will provide musical accompaniment on the church’s 3,000-pipe organ. Actor Paul Napier will present a Christmas meditation. Organized by musical coordinator Gordon Bachlund, the concert will be held Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and will be followed by a reception in the parish hall. Although there is no admission charge, those attending are asked to bring a donation of packaged or canned food, which will be distributed to the needy (13370 Valleyheart Drive, Sherman Oaks, 818- 784-0105).

A Christmas musical titled “A Son! A Savior!” will be presented today and Saturday at 7 p.m. at St. Paul’s First Lutheran Church. Included among the series of traditional Christmas songs will be a solo by contralto Victoria Ranck and a duet by Pastor David Palmquist and Kim Hoffmann. The 90-minute program will also feature congregational singing (5244 Tujunga Ave., North Hollywood, 818-761-1846).

A contemporary cantata titled “Make His Praise Glorious” will be presented Sunday at 10:30 a.m. as part of the worship service at Toluca Lake United Methodist Church. This musical service, under the direction of Kirk Jackson, will feature a number of soloists and a performance by the parish children (4301 Cahuenga Blvd., North Hollywood, 818-761-5897).

“Bethlehem 1988,” a living Nativity, will be presented outside Valley Community Church continuously between 7 and 9 p.m. Tuesday through Dec. 23 and between noon and 4 p.m. Dec. 24. Cast of the drama, a re-creation of the time, place and people of the first Christmas, includes live sheep, goats and a donkey. Light refreshments will be served, and some Christmas carols will be sung (17424 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, 818-708-1025).

For Christmas shoppers who want to enjoy the sounds of the season as they look for last-minute gifts, a sampling of holiday events at the malls follows.

Strolling through the Fallbrook Mall this coming week will be a variety of carolers, including the Canoga Park Brownie Troop at 7 tonight; the choir from the First Southern Baptist Church of Canoga Park at 4 p.m. Saturday; “Signs of the Holidays,” a group that carols with sign language, 7 and 8:30 p.m. Saturday; the Sweet Adelines at 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. Sunday, and Women’s Aglow at 1 p.m. Tuesday. (6633 Fallbrook Ave., Canoga Park).

As part of the holiday entertainment, children at Laurel Plaza can meet and enjoy the company of Probot the Robot beginning Saturday and continuing through Dec. 23. Among the musical performers set to appear are the Pacific Brass Quintet on Sunday at 3:30 and 5:30 p.m., and vocalists and folk dancers from Calvary Lutheran School on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. Children who visit Santa and his elves will be treated to free cookies and coloring books, courtesy of Laurel Plaza (6100 Laurel Canyon Blvd., North Hollywood).

Don’t be surprised if you see a winged horse flying through the Sherman Oaks Galleria now through Christmas. It’s only Pegasus spreading good cheer. And a 30-foot-high iridescent castle houses Santa in Center Court. Among the singing groups will be the Talented Tones, a children’s group, 5 p.m. Saturday; Susan and Steven Waldrop, Christian tunes with a gospel flavor, 7 p.m. Saturday, and the Evergreen Music Conservatory, a children’s group, 12:30 p.m. Monday (15301 Ventura Blvd.).

Christmas stories written and presented by Bill Jacobs may be heard at Topanga Plaza from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Children and adults are invited to sit in the decorated forest and enjoy the storytelling, snow and forest animals. A Sugar Plum Tree, where gifts can be donated to foster children, has been set up at the mall (6600 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Canoga Park).