GIVING THANKS: Special Thanksgiving services are planned...

GIVING THANKS: Special Thanksgiving services are planned Wednesday evening at several local churches and synagogues. Among the offerings: Potluck dinner at 6 p.m., followed by a worship service at 7:30 p.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church, 8800 Woodman Ave., Arleta, (818) 894-2293; Thanksgiving Eve service including testimonies by congregants at 7 p.m. at St. John’s in the Valley United Methodist Church, 20600 Roscoe Blvd., Winnetka, (818) 341-6434; communion service at 7:30 p.m. at Grace Community Church, 13248 Roscoe Blvd, Sun Valley, (818) 782-5920; Ecumenical Thanksgiving Eve services at Shomrei Torah Synagogue in conjunction with Valley Vineyard Church at 7:30 p.m. at the temple, 7353 Valley Circle Blvd., West Hills, (818) 346-0811; 7th Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service sponsored by the Antelope Valley Interfaith Council at 7 p.m. at the Lancaster United Methodist Church, 918 W. Ave. J, (805) 274-0356.

SPECIAL MASS: A special Mass is planned for Sunday--the Solemnity of Christ the King and the last Sunday of the Catholic Church’s liturgical year--to mark the beginning of the Los Angeles Archdiocese’s preparation for celebrating the year 2000, the dawning of the Third Millennium of the church’s history. Mass will be said at 4 p.m. at the San Fernando Mission, 15151 San Fernando Mission Blvd., Mission Hills. (818) 361-0186.

INTERFAITH GATHERING: For the first time ever, the San Fernando Valley Interfaith Council will host a special social event next month called “Interfaith Couples Evening.” The program will be facilitated by Paula Fuld-Bruner, a psychologist and Zen Buddhist minister, and her husband, Bill Bruner, who teaches high school students with multiple disabilities,and studied lay Christian ministry. Couples are asked to bring a dessert to serve six to eight people. Coffee and teas will be provided at the event, which will be held from 8 to 10:30 p.m. Dec. 14 at Temple Beth Hillel, 12326 Riverside Drive, Valley Village. A $20 donation to the Valley Interfaith Council is requested. Reservations: (818) 718-6460, Ext. 3002.

LOCAL JEWISH HISTORY: A slide show called “Portraits of Our Community: A History of the San Fernando Valley Jewish Community” will be presented by the San Fernando Valley Jewish History Project at 7 p.m. Sunday at Temple Ramat Zion. The project was underwritten by a Jewish Federation grant. The synagogue is located at 17655 Devonshire St., Northridge. Admission is free. (818) 360-1881.

DIFFERING OPINIONS: A discussion will follow the viewing of a video titled “The Disputation: A Theological Debate Between Christians and Jews” at 2 p.m. Sunday at the West Valley Jewish Community Center, 22622 Vanowen St., West Hills. Admission is $2 for members and $3 for nonmembers. Reservations: (818) 587-3300.

GUEST SPEAKER: Woodland Hills Presbyterian Church will welcome a special guest next month. Dallas Willard, USC philosophy professor and professor in the Doctor of Ministry program at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, will preach on “Jesus and the Kingdom” at 10 a.m. Dec. 1 at the church, 5751 Platt Ave., Woodland Hills. (818) 346-7894.

News and announcements for this column can be sent to Religion Desk, Los Angeles Times, 20000 Prairie St., Chatsworth 91311.