The tradition-rich spring holidays of Easter and...

The tradition-rich spring holidays of Easter and Passover dominate religious life in the Southland this week. Following are some of the worship services, musical programs, pageants and community activities available. Admission to the events is free unless indicated.

Easter Sunday services, including sunrise services, will be listed next Saturday.

PALM SUNDAY

* Brookins Community African Methodist Episcopal Church opens a four-day spring awakening revival with services at 8 a.m., 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. (Services also will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.) Guest minister Leodis Strong of Oklahoma City will speak on “Keeping the Faith In Spite Of.” 4831 Gramercy Place, Los Angeles. (213) 296-5610.

* A bilingual Korean-English service, led by the Revs. Sun Sik Yoon and Ralph R. Barlow, will be held at 11 a.m. at Los Feliz United Methodist Church, 4953 Franklin Ave., Los Angeles. (213) 662-8025.

* St. James’ Episcopal Church holds services at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., with music and reading of the Passion account from Matthew. 3875 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles (213) 388-3417.

* St. John’s Celtic Choir, conducted by Michael Arshagouni, presents “The Seven Last Words of Christ” by Dubois and “Missa Sancti Nicolai” by Haydn at 4 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 11000 National Blvd., West Los Angeles. (319) 477-2513.

* A special music program at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove features handbell and other choirs. The Rev. Bruce Larson delivers a sermon. Nursery care is provided. 12141 Lewis St. (714) 971-4000.

* First Congregational Church holds worship at 9 and 11 a.m., followed by a special Seder celebration and luncheon featuring a guest rabbi. 540 S. Commonwealth, Los Angeles. (213) 385-1341.

* The Rev. Lyle B. Gansei preaches and three choirs sing at 10 a.m. services at Bethel Lutheran Church in Encino. At 7:30 p.m. three choirs, soloists and a brass ensemble perform “The Victor.” Donations are accepted. Child care is available. 17500 Burbank Blvd. (818) 788-2653.

EASTER WEEK

* Holman United Methodist Church presents a High Holy Day Reflection featuring Part II of Handel’s “Messiah” at 8 p.m. Friday. 3320 W. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles. (213) 731-7285.

* Garden Grove churches hold their annual Good Friday “Way of the Cross” walk beginning with a noon service at St. Anselm’s of Canterbury Episcopal Church, 13091 Galway St. Services will be held at 1 p.m. at St. Columban’s Roman Catholic Church, 10801 Stanford Ave.; at 2 p.m. at United Methodist Church, 12741 Main St., and at 3 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 11832 Euclid St. Other churches will be participating in the walk. (714) 537-0604.

* The Schubert Mass will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Maundy Thursday services at Bethel Lutheran Church, 17500 Burbank Blvd., Encino. (818) 788-2653.

* The Church of the Blessed Sacrament in Hollywood offers a Spanish-English Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 8 p.m. Thursday. On Friday, a Tre Ore Service of Stations of the Cross will feature “Stabat Mater” by Giovanni Pergolesi from noon to 3 p.m. A solemn liturgical service with Communion will be held at 6 p.m. in English and 8 p.m. in Spanish. On Saturday, an Easter vigil will be held at 8 p.m. 6657 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. (213) 463-6211.

* Woodland Hills Presbyterian Church holds an agape meal followed by Communion at 7 p.m. Thursday and a choir program featuring Dale Wood’s “Service of Darkness” at 7:30 p.m. Friday. 5751 Platt Ave. (818) 346-7894.

* La Habra United Methodist Church presents “The Seven Last Words of Christ” by Dubois, with soloists and instruments at 7:30 p.m. Friday. 631 N. Euclid St., La Habra. (310) 691-1797.

* The Crystal Cathedral holds a Communion service with choir music at 12:15 p.m. and candlelight Communion at 8 p.m. Friday. Holy Week services will be offered Monday through Thursday with special music from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. 12141 Lewis St., Garden Grove. (714) 971-4000.

* A “service of shadows” takes place at Bethel Lutheran Church in Encino at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Child care is provided. 17500 Burbank Blvd. (818) 788-2653.

* First Congregational Church holds its “Easter Eve Service of the Holy Flame,” a dramatic one-hour service with music, at 11 p.m. Saturday. 540 S. Commonwealth Ave., Los Angeles. (213) 385-1341.

PASSOVER

* The story of Passover will be presented in a one-hour public radio special, “Passover, Then and Now,” hosted by Cantor Michael Russ, with special guests Monty Hall and his wife, Marilyn. It will include highlights of the Seder, contemporary and traditional music and a recipe. In Los Angeles, the program will air on KCSN (88.5 FM) at 10 a.m. Sunday and be repeated during the eight-day festival of Passover. For information on stations airing the program, phone Teresa Rodgers, general manager of KCSN. (818) 885-3090.

* The Chai Center is holding Seders conducted by Rabbi Shlomo and Olivia Schwartz on Monday and Tuesday evenings at a banquet hall near Hancock Park. The story of the Exodus will be explained in English, and Hassidic stories will be told. Traditional food will be served. There will be a singles happy hour at 7 p.m. Monday. The Seder service will be at 8 p.m. and the banquet at 9 p.m. both nights. Tickets are $39 per person, per Seder. Paid reservations must be made by Sunday. (310) 391-7995 or (310) 391-6619.

* Chabad Russian Immigrant Program and Synagogue in Los Angeles will hold four Russian-language Passover Seders on Monday and Tuesday. For information, call the synagogue Sunday or Monday at (213) 848-2999.

* Temple Ner Maarav in Encino hosts a Pesach (Passover) primer from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, featuring a carwash and a concert by Cindy Paley and Kenny Ellis. 5180 Yarmouth, at White Oak. (818) 345-7833.

SPECIAL EVENTS

* Cecil B. DeMille’s silent movie “King of Kings” will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, accompanied by organist Gaylord Carter, who played when the film opened at Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood in 1927. Donations are accepted. First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, 1760 N. Gower St., Los Angeles. (213) 463-7161.

* “It Is Written,” an original musical drama with a cast of 100, will be performed April 9-11 at Harbor Christian Center in Wilmington. Admission is free; reservations are recommended. Nursery and preschool child care will be available during performances. Phone for curtain times and ticket information. 1551 Wilmington Blvd. (310) 835-5661.

* Panorama Presbyterian Church holds its annual Easter egg hunt for children ages 1-12 at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 11. A clown will perform magic tricks. Bring a basket or container. 14201 Roscoe Blvd., Panorama City. (818) 894-8316.

* “The Day He Wore My Crown,” a dramatic musical based on the last days of Christ, will be presented at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday at El Dorado Park Community Church in Long Beach. 3655 Norwalk Blvd. (310) 596-1641.

* “Once Upon a Cross,” a dramatic musical with a cast of 75, will be presented by Lawndale Christian Church at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 10 a.m. Easter Sunday. Doors open half an hour before performances. Nursery care is provided. 4234 W. 147th St., Lawndale. (310) 644-2236.

Send notices to: Southern California File, c/o Religion Editor, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, Calif., 90053. Fax: (213) 237-4712. Items should be brief and arrive at least three weeks before the event. The date, time and address of events and a phone number for inquiries must be included.