REPAIRED CHURCHES: Ten months after the Northridge...

REPAIRED CHURCHES: Ten months after the Northridge earthquake, two San Fernando Valley churches that each sustained about $500,000 damage are about to return to their customary worship surroundings.

At 9:30 a.m. Sunday, the congregation at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, 15950 Chatsworth St., Granada Hills, will proceed from the church’s fellowship hall to its refurbished sanctuary, loosing helium-filled balloons as they go.

Pastor Kapp Johnson, who became pastor of the 450-member congregation the day before the Jan. 17 quake, said the church’s recovery has been aided by a Small Business Administration loan for half the damages plus more than $150,000 from religious and other sources.

St. Stephen’s received $40,000 from the national disaster fund of its parent denomination, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, he said.

Next Saturday at 5 p.m., the parishioners at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 18115 Sherman Way, Reseda, will gather for the first Mass in the church since the completion of repairs. The African-American Choir from Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Altadena will sing and Nigerian-born Father Mike Ume from St. Genevieve Church in Van Nuys will preach.

The 1,300-family parish, which typically has about 2,700 people at weekend Masses, was covered by earthquake insurance except for a $100,000 deductible, said Father Sean Flanagan.

Both congregations met in tents for services in the period immediately after the Jan. 17 earthquake, then used their social halls.

JOINT MEAL: Members of the Valley Outreach Synagogue and Kirk O’ the Valley Presbyterian Church will meet at the Reseda church Tuesday night for a Thanksgiving meal and worship service.

The interfaith service, which starts at 7:45 p.m., is open to anyone who wants to attend, said Chet B. Gean, pastor of the church at 19620 Vanowen St. Members of the two congregations will bring canned goods and non-perishable foods which will be donated to a food pantry in the San Fernando Valley.

INTERFAITH SERVICE: The fifth annual Thanksgiving service of the Santa Clarita Interfaith Council will be held at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at St. Clare’s Catholic Church, 27341 Camp Plenty Road, Canyon Country.

Participants have been asked to bring a donation of food or money for use by the Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry, according to council President Pete Falbo, pastor of Valencia United Methodist Church.

GREGORIAN CHANT: The Chapel of Charlemagne choir will sing Gregorian chants in a concert at 7:30 p.m. today to raise funds to replace a quake-damaged pipe organ at St. John the Baptist de la Salle Church in Granada Hills.

The group is based at Cal State University Los Angeles and directed by Robert Fowells. Requested donations are $10 for adults and $7 for senior citizens and students. The church is at 16545 Chatsworth St.

ALTERNATIVE GIFTS: Granada Hills First Presbyterian Church is hosting an “alternative Christmas market” today for those who want to buy presents that raise money for donations to Third World relief, medical and shelter needs of the homeless, and other projects.

The 14-year-old market, which benefits 20 relief and development agencies, will be held at the church, 10400 Zelzah Ave., from 10:30 a.m to noon.

The market will also be held at 10:30 a.m. on Dec. 4, 11 and 18 at Burbank First United Methodist Church, 700 N. Glenoaks Blvd.

For information about Alternative Gift Markets, Inc., Lucerne Valley, call (619) 248-2193.

ST. MEL CHOIRS: The only public concert this season by the St. Mel Parish Choir, Boychoir and orchestra will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Catholic parish at 20870 Ventura Blvd, Woodland Hills.

William D. Usher II will conduct Maurice Durufle’s Requiem, Opus 9, during the “Concert in Memory of All Souls,” featuring mezzo soprano Lauren Azeltine and organist William C. Beck. Tickets are $5. For more information, call (818) 340-6020.

BAGPIPE MASS: An ecumenical service featuring the Los Angeles Police Pipe Band and followed by a Scottish festival will begin at 10 a.m. Sunday at St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church, 7136 Winnetka Ave., in Winnetka. For information, call (818) 348-1419.