Concert to Strike International Note

The Music Ministry of Mesa Verde United Methodist Church will present a Christmas concert at 7 p.m. Sunday. Traditional Christmas music as well as selections from Wales, Bohemia, Russia and Nigeria will be featured. Child care will be available. The church is at 1701 W. Baker St., Costa Mesa. (714) 979-8234.

The combined choirs of Community Congregational United Church of Christ of Los Alamitos and Norwalk United Methodist Church will perform Vivaldi’s “Gloria” at 10 a.m. Sunday at the Los Alamitos church. The choir, led by Eugene Long, will be accompanied by Brian Mann on the organ.

Community Congregational Church will have its “Candlelight Christmas Eve” service from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. Wednesday. The Sunday school children will present a skit and there will be caroling. The church is at 4111 Katella Ave., Los Alamitos. (714) 527-2343.

“Don’t You Love Christmas?” will be presented by the youth group and choirs of Palisades United Methodist Church at 7 p.m. Christmas Eve. The musical is about a reporter who goes back in time to cover the events surrounding the birth of Jesus. There will also be a candlelight carol service at 11 p.m. The church is at 27002 Camino de Estrella, Capistrano Beach. (714) 496-5502.

Lake Hills Community Church will have its “Christmas by Candlelight” event at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and at 5:30 and 8 p.m. Christmas Eve. Both traditional and contemporary Christmas music will be featured. Choirs and vocal ensembles will be accompanied by a brass quartet and pipe organ. The church is at 23331 Moulton Parkway, Laguna Hills. (714) 837-7729.

A “Festival Christmas Celebration” service will take place at 9:45 a.m. Sunday at Golden Circle Church. The service will be led by the Revs. Don Henderson, Audrey Turner, Les Turner and Rebeka Pina. At 4:30 p.m., the church will offer its “Festival Christmas Candle-Lighting” service. The church is at 600 Golden Circle Drive, Santa Ana. (714) 541-3365.

Congregation Shuvah Yisrael, Messianic Jewish, will offer a Hanukkah information service at 10 a.m. today. There will be Hanukkah music and food, and children from the congregation will sing and dance to special music. The event is free. The congregation meets at the Pacific Church of Irvine, 15 Orange Tree, Irvine. (714) 654-1928.

The Children’s Choir, Handbell Ensemble, Joyful Noise Youth Music and Sanctuary Choir of St. Andrew’s by the Sea United Methodist Church will present a Christmas concert during the 10 a.m. Sunday worship service. The church is at 2001 Calle Frontera, San Clemente. (714) 492-2537.

Placentia United Methodist Church will have a family Christmas Eve service at 5 p.m., with children presenting the Christmas story. The message “Surprised by Christmas” will be given during a candlelight Communion service at 11 p.m. The church is at 2050 Valencia Ave., Placentia. (714) 528-1483.

The Rev. F. David Throop will continue his “Great Chapters of the Bible” series with the message “Celebrating Bottom-Line Christmas” at 8:30 and 10:15 a.m. Sunday at Placentia Presbyterian Church. Christmas Eve Candlelight services will take place at 7 and 11 p.m. Child care will be available during the 7 p.m. service. The church is at 849 N. Bradford Ave., Placentia. (714) 528-1438.

Pastor H.K. McCullen will give a “Lessons and Carols”-themed message during the 10:30 a.m. worship service at Laguna Niguel Presbyterian Church. Classes for children aged 3-11 will be available. Christmas Eve services will be offered at 5 and 11 p.m. The church is at 30071 Ivy Glenn, Laguna Niguel. (714) 249-1218.

The Hebrew Academy will have its annual Community Open House at 9:30 a.m. Monday. Parents will have an opportunity to meet teachers, observe classes and explore curriculum options. Classes are available for children ages 3 through high school. The academy is at 14401 Willow Lane, Westminster. (714) 898-0051.

Vineyard Christian Fellowship will have a Christmas Eve service at 5 p.m. at Dana Point Recreation Center. The center is at 34052 Del Obispo St., Dana Point. (714) 487-9463.

A children’s Christmas service and pageant will take place at 4 p.m. Christmas Eve at St. James Episcopal Church. There will be Christmas concerts at 7 and 10:15 p.m. and worship services at 7:30 and 11 p.m. A Holy Eucharist worship service will take place at 10 a.m. Christmas Day. The church is at 3209 Via Lido, Newport Beach. (714) 675-0210.

A “Voices of the Season” Advent/Christmas celebration presented by the music ministry will take place at 8 tonight at Sts. Simon and Jude Catholic Church. The program, under the direction of Mark T. Purcell, will feature the Parish Choir, Handbell Choir, Children’s Choir and orchestra. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children. The church is at 20444 Magnolia St., Huntington Beach. (714) 962-3333.

A Christmas Eve service will take place at 7 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church. There will also be a service at 9 a.m. Christmas Day. The church is at 902 S. Broadway, Santa Ana. (714) 542-0784.

The Rev. Leslie Heyboer will give the message “The Winter Solstice” during the 10:30 a.m. Sunday morning worship service at Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church. The sermon will celebrate traditions from Earth-centered religion. Child care will be offered. A Christmas Eve service, featuring a baby dedication ceremony and special music, will take place at 7 p.m. The church is at 1259 Victoria St., Costa Mesa. (714) 646-4652.

The Crystal Cathedral will celebrate Christmas Eve candlelight services with ethereal angels and music at 3, 4:30, 6, 7:30, 9, 10:30 and midnight. The cathedral will be adorned with glittering trees and actual falling snow while the story of Christ’s birth is told. The church is at 12141 Lewis St., Garden Grove. (714) 971-4000.

The Rev. Tari Lennon will continue her “Mary, Mother of Jesus” Advent series with the message “A Woman in Struggle” at 10 a.m. Sunday at Neighborhood Congregational Church. A “Blessing of the Animals” will take place at 3 p.m. this afternoon. A Christmas Eve service will take place at 10:45 a.m. The church is at 340 St. Ann’s Drive, Laguna Beach. (714) 951-7260.

Handmade quilts and toys donated by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be presented to Haitham Bundakji, president of the Orange County Islamic Society, on behalf of orphaned children in his home country of Jordan at 7 p.m. Sunday. The presentation will be made at the close of the church’s Christmas musical program. A display of donations will be exhibited in the cultural hall. The church is at 10332 Bolsa Ave., Garden Grove. (714) 530-7622.

The Rev. Maurice Ogden will lead a holiday program at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the Unitarian Church of Orange County. Music will be provided by the UCOC Singers. The church will celebrate its 39th year with the recent opening of its new church building at 511 S. Harbor Blvd., Anaheim. (714) 758-1050.

Fullerton United Methodist Church will present a live nativity scene in front of the church at 7 and 8 tonight through Tuesday night. There will be taped music and an inspirational message. The church is at 114 N. Pomona Ave., Fullerton. (714) 871-4415.

The Rev. Jon Dobrer will discuss “To Light and Life” at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Fullerton. Religious education for children and youth will be provided. The church meets at Temple Beth Tikvah, 1600 N. Acacia Ave., Fullerton. (714) 871-7150.

Keeping Christmas alive throughout the year will be discussed during “The Never-Ending Story” at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the First Presbyterian Church of Orange. Christmas Eve services include a “You Are Loved” family service at 6 p.m. and a “Come Home” candlelight service at 11 p.m. The church is at 191 N. Orange St., Orange. (714) 289-8452.

Services in celebration of “Music Sunday” will take place at 7:30, 8:30 and 10:45 a.m. at King of Glory Lutheran Church. Candlelight services will be offered at 5, 7 and 11 p.m. Christmas Eve and there will be a 10 a.m. Communion celebration on Christmas Day. The church is at 10280 Slater Ave., Fountain Valley. (714) 963-5649.

Camp Hanukkah, a Jewish music, art and drama program, will take place Monday through Jan. 2 at Congregation Shir Ha-Ma’alot. The camp, which is for those ages 4-12, includes field trips, cooking and interactive games in addition to the arts. Morning, afternoon or full-day registration will be available. The congregation is at 3652 Michelson Drive, Irvine. (714) 857-2226.

The Rev. Suzanne G. Dougherty will present an “Intergenerational/ Solstice/Hanukkah/ Christmas Holiday” service at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the Unitarian Universalist Church of South County. An intergenerational candlelight Christmas Eve service will take place at 7 p.m. The third candle of the Advent wreath will be lit. The church is at 25801 Obrero Drive, Suite 8, Mission Viejo. (714) 581-0245.

“The Birth of Jesus” will be presented during the family service at 5 p.m. Christmas Eve at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Candlelight services, with Holy Communion and music, will be offered at 7 and 11 p.m. The church is at 3352 Katella Ave., Los Alamitos. (310) 430-3444.

The Chancel, Chapel and Chancel Bell Choirs of Trinity United Presbyterian Church will offer their annual “Festival of Christmas Music” at 5 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Care for children to age 5 years will be provided. Candlelight Christmas Eve services, with Holy Communion, will take place at 7, 9 and 11 p.m. Child care will be available at the 7 p.m. service. The church is at 13922 Prospect Ave., Santa Ana. (714) 544-7852.

The Rev. Chris Schriner will speak on “Heart and Solstice” at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Laguna Beach. A religious education program for children 5-12 will be offered. A “Carols by Candlelight: Our First Annual Holiday Service” will be offered following the 7 p.m. potluck on Christmas Eve. The center is at 429 Cypress Drive, Laguna Beach. (714) 497-4568.

The Rev. Margaret Mohit will continue her “Expressing the Light” series with the message “The Light as Faith” at 9:30 and 11 a.m. Sunday at Unity Community Church. Sunday school classes and nursery care will be provided. The church is at 22911 Mill Creek Road, Laguna Hills. (714) 472-9230.

The United Methodist Church of Garden Grove will have a Blue Christmas “Longest Night Service” at 7 p.m. Sunday. The service offers a time to pray for those who may be experiencing a painful or lonely Christmas. Christmas Eve services will consist of a family service at 7 p.m. and a candlelight service at 11 p.m. The church is at 12741 Main St., Garden Grove. (714) 534-1070.

The University United Methodist Church will offer three services on Christmas Eve. At 6:30 p.m., there will be a family service with carols and readings. A Service of Joy and Preparation, featuring the College and Young Adult Choir, will take place at 9 p.m. Then at 11 p.m., there will be a Candlelight Communion service. The church is at 18422 Culver Drive, Irvine. (714) 786-8354.

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