Christmas Cantata to Be Presented

A “Touch of Christmas” cantata of contemporary and traditional songs will be included in the 10 a.m. Sunday service at Grace Missionary Baptist Church in Anaheim. At 6:30 p.m., a play called “The Gift Goes On” will be presented.

The church is at 1926 W. Ball Road. Information: (714) 535-8275.

The choir at Church of the Foothills will perform “The Miracle of Bethlehem” during the 9 a.m. service Sunday. The Rev. James Piper’s sermon will be “Joy to the World.”

The church is at 19211 Dodge Ave., Santa Ana. Information: (714) 544-1319.

The annual Christmas cantata at the First Mission Baptist Church of Santa Ana is at 8 a.m. Sunday.

Admission is free to the musical program at the church, 1817 W. 3rd St. Information: (714) 542-0980.

John and Sylvia Youra are directors of the annual “Angel Tree” outreach ministry at St. Clement’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in San Clemente. Those who are interested can select a paper angel from a decorated tree at the church with the name of a needy person on it. A gift and wrapping paper can be purchased for that person and brought back to the church.

The gifts will be wrapped by church members on Monday and distributed on Wednesday. The church is at 202 Avenida Aragon. Information: (714) 492-3401.

Calvary Church of Santa Ana’s Celebration Choir and Calvary Symphonic Orchestra will perform Handel’s Messiah on Sunday at 6 p.m.

Admission is free. The church is at 1010 N. Tustin Ave. Information: (714) 973-4800.

The annual Christmas Carol Sing at First Baptist Church of Fullerton is at 6 p.m. Sunday. The public is welcome and refreshments will be served.

The church is at 212 E. Wilshire Ave. Information: (714) 526-3808.

St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach will offer Christmas Eve Candlelight Services at 5, 7, 9 and 11 p.m.

The church is at 600 St. Andrews Road. Information: (714) 631-2880.

La Meice Harding Schierholz will be the guest speaker Sunday at the First Church of Christ Scientist in Santa Ana. The title of her presentation is “Have You Heard the Angels Sing?”

She will speak at 3 p.m. following a Christmas carol sing-a-long which begins at 2:30. The church is at 920 N. Main St. Information: (714) 551-6117.

Handel’s Messiah will be performed Sunday at 6 p.m. in the Arboretum at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove.

A free-will offering will be taken. The church is at 12141 Lewis St. Information: (714) 971-4150.

The United Methodist Church of Garden Grove will offer two candlelight services on Christmas Eve at 7 and 10:30 p.m.

The church is at 12741 Main St. Information: (714) 534-1070.

The annual United Synagogue Youth International Convention is Dec. 26 to 30 at the Hyatt Regency Irvine hotel. Teen-agers from all over the world will gather for the convention and the theme will be “Judaism and the Environment.”

For more information, call (212) 533-7800 in New York.

A Blessing of the Animals ceremony is planned for Christmas Eve at the Neighborhood Congregational Church in Laguna Beach. The Rev. Tari Lennon will conduct the ceremony at 5 p.m. All animals are welcome including turtles, snakes, birds, hamsters, dogs and cats. An informal service with songs and stories will follow.

A traditional candlelight Christmas Eve service will take place at 10:45 p.m. in the sanctuary at the church, 340 St. Ann’s Drive. Information: (714) 494-8061.

A Christmas Concert will be presented at 7 and 10 p.m. at St. James Episcopal Church in Newport Beach on Christmas Eve. Holy Eucharist is at 7:30 and Festival Eucharist is at 11 p.m.

The church is at 3209 Via Lido. Information: (714) 675-0210.

The musical “Everlasting Light: A Christmas Carol for a Dark World” will be performed on Sunday at the Garden Grove Friends Church.

The free program is at 6 p.m. at 12211 Magnolia St. Information: (714) 539-7735.

A new support group for single parents meets twice a month on Mondays at South Coast Community Church in Irvine.

The church is at 5120 Bonita Canyon Drive. For schedule information, call Valerie Rogers at (714) 854-7600.

The Christmas Eve service at the Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church in Costa Mesa will be at 7 p.m. and includes musical performances directed by Mieque Weinstein.

The church is at 1259 Victoria St. Information: (714) 646-4652.

A Christmas program will be presented during the 10 a.m. service on Sunday at the Laguna Beach United Methodist Church.

The church is at 21632 Wesley Drive. Information: (714) 499-3088.

The Christmas Eve service at Living Hope Friends Church in Tustin will be at 6:30 p.m. and will include the singing of carols.

The church is at 330 W. 6th St. Information: (714) 573-2996.

The annual greening party at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Newport Beach is at 11 a.m. Sunday. A 7:30 p.m. Christmas concert will be followed by Holy Communion at 8 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

The church is at 1723 Westcliff Drive. Information: (714) 646-1152.

Grace Church in Cypress will present two performances of their annual Christmas program “Celebrate the Son” on Sunday at 5 and 7 p.m. Two “birthday parties for Jesus” are planned for children ages 4 to 4th grade at 4:45 and 6:45 p.m., also on Sunday. There is no charge for admission.

The church is at 5100 Cerritos Ave. Information: (714) 761-5100.

St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Anaheim will offer a candlelight service at 7:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

The church is at 10418 Katella Ave. Information: (714) 535-9742.