TODAY* The 107th consecutive “Julotta,” or Swedish...

TODAY

* The 107th consecutive “Julotta,” or Swedish Christmas worship service, of Angelica Lutheran Church will be held at 6 a.m. in the sanctuary, built in the 1920s by Swedish craftsmen. Conducted in Swedish and English by the Rev. Susan Devol, the service will feature a sermon by the Rev. Carl W. Segerhammar, bishop emeritus of the Pacific Southwest District, and greetings from the Swedish community by Randy Sorenson. Women may wear traditional Swedish attire. Kaffe med dopp, coffee with sweet rolls, will be served. Security parking provided. 1343 S. Burlington Ave., Los Angeles. (213) 382-6378.

* Palisades Lutheran Church holds its Christmas Day service and offers Communion at 10 a.m. 15905 Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades. (310) 459-2358.

* All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena holds a 10:30 a.m. Eucharist service featuring Coventry Choir soloists and a sermon by the Rev. Gary Hall. 132 N. Euclid Avenue. (818) 796-1172.

SUNDAY

* The public is invited to an observance of Kwaanza, a cultural holiday celebrating African heritage, at the Guidance Church of Religious Science at 4 p.m. in the church sanctuary. A Kwaanza ceremony and African music will be featured. 7225 S. Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles. (213) 778-0773.

* The Native American Ministry Project of the Presbyterian Church holds an ecumenical prayer and sharing service at 2:30 p.m. followed by a potluck meal. Covenant Presbyterian Church, 3rd Street and Atlantic Avenue, Long Beach. For information, phone the Rev. Buddy Monahan at (310) 670-5076 or (310) 643-5793.

NEW YEAR’S

* The Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple holds a Joya-e year end service at 6 p.m. Friday and a Shusho-e New Year service at 10 a.m. next Saturday at 505 E. 3rd St., Los Angeles. (213) 626-4200.

* Lake Avenue Congregational Church in Pasadena holds a Concert of Praise celebration at 7 p.m. Friday. $3 admission. 393 N. Lake Avenue. (818) 683-1467.

* Sabbath synagogue services on Friday evening and next Saturday morning are auspicious times to receive a Hebrew name, according to Rabbi Shimon Paskow of Temple Etz Chaim in Thousand Oaks, because the Sabbath’s Torah reading is from the Book of Names. Anyone interested in acquiring a Hebrew name, or more information, can phone the rabbi at the synagogue. (805) 497-6891.

* A New Year Recovery Retreat led by Father Juniper Schneider Friday through Jan. 2 will examine the use of 12-step programs to deepen spirituality. Mission San Luis Rey Retreat Center, 4050 Mission Ave., San Luis Rey. For registration information, phone (619) 757-3659.

* The Wayfarers Chapel celebrates the new year with a Communion worship service of rededication and renewal at 11 a.m. Jan. 2. Worshipers are invited to write a resolution on a slip of paper and burn it in a charcoal brazier on the chancel steps. The church, designed by architect Lloyd Wright, is an ecumenical ministry of the Swedenborgian Church. 5755 Palos Verdes Drive South, Rancho Palos Verdes (310) 377-1650.

HONORS

* Imani Unidos, a Los Angeles food bank serving people with AIDS in South-Central Los Angeles, received the 1993 Mickey Leland Humanitarian Award. Named for the late congressman, the award is given each year to a church organization that exemplifies commitment to the eradication of hunger. Founded in 1991, Imani (Swahili for “faith”) Unidos (Spanish for “united”) is an independent outreach ministry of the Faith United Church.

* L.A. Jewish AIDS Services, a program of Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles, presented its first humanitarian award to actress Estelle Getty and its first medical award to Dr. Mark Katz at a fund-raising gala last month.

* Father Gregory Coiro, a Capuchin Franciscan friar since 1972, has been appointed director of public affairs for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, succeeding Bill Rivera, who retires next Saturday.

* The Rev. Noriaki Ito, a longtime Betsuin minister, is the new Rinban (head minister) of Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple in Los Angeles, succeeding Rinban Gyoko Saito.

* Freda Fingerhut was honored on her 90th birthday this month by the University of Judaism’s Camp Ramah. Fingerhut and her late husband, William, were founders of the camp.

* Burbank Temple Emanu El held a cantorial concert Dec. 19 as a tribute to member Esther Maslow on her 85th birthday.

* Queen of the Valley Hospital hosted a memorial Mass and reception Dec. 14 in memory of Regina McPartlin, who, as mother general of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, spearheaded the creation of the health care facility. She died Nov. 12 at age 89.

BRIEFLY

* The San Fernando Valley Interfaith Council is looking for singers for its Interfaith Choir, which will perform at a Martin Luther King Celebration Service. Rehearsals are Jan. 4 and 11. Peer counselors are needed at the council’s senior centers in the East Valley and Pacoima. Training is provided. The council’s Food Pantry Coalition churches need clothing, food, toiletries and toys. (818) 718-6460.

* Calvary Christian School in Pacoima wants senior citizens to sit in the classroom with schoolchildren for two hours each week. Phone Helen Dennis, principal, at (818) 899-8206.

* Stephen S. Wise Temple offers bereavement support groups. (818) 788-4778 or (310) 476-8561.

Notices may be sent to Southern California File by mail c/o Religion Editor, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053, or by fax to (213) 237-4712. Items must be brief and arrive at least three weeks in advance of the event announced. Include a phone number, date, time and full address.