Nativities From Around Globe

A display of Nativity scenes from around the world will be featured at the Thousand Oaks stake center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1 to 9 p.m. today and 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday.

An antique, handmade monk statue from the 15th century, paintings from the 16th century and modern religious art will also be on display.

Additionally, a Christmas concert will be performed at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, also at the Thousand Oaks stake center. All are welcome.

The Thousand Oaks Stake center is at 1600 Erbes Road. For information, call 653-0208.

Blue Light for Police Officers

Chaplain Daniel Green of the Oxnard Police Department encourages the public to put up a slightly different kind of holiday light this season.

A single blue light in a window “will show support and encouragement to the city’s police officers,” Green said.

The little blue electric candles may be purchased at stores for $1 or $2, he said.

For information, contact Green at the police department, 488-5070.

Anointing of the Sick Offered

St. Paschal Baylon Church in Thousand Oaks will offer the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick after all Masses this weekend (5:30 p.m. today; 7:30, 9 and 10:45 a.m., and 12:15 [Spanish] and 5:30 p.m. Sunday).

On Tuesday, the church will hold a 7:30 p.m. bilingual Advent penance celebration.

The church is at 155 E. Janss Road. Call 496-0222, Ext. 116, for information.

Musical Traces Birth of Jesus

Simi Valley United Methodist Church will present “Child Divine” at 7 p.m. Sunday.

The musical by Dennis and Nan Allen tells the story of the birth of Jesus through soloists, choir and narration, and is accompanied by a 30-piece orchestra.

Beginning with Mary, the mother of Jesus, as a child, the story culminates in the news of Jesus’ arrival in the world. The musical uses familiar Christmas tunes as well as new compositions.

The church is at 2394 Erringer Road. For information, call 526-6231.

Speaker Discusses World Myths

Guest speaker and mythologist Jonathan Young will speak about worldwide myths that break through the winter doldrums at Ventura’s Unitarian Universalist Church on Sunday. Lily Starobinets will play the piano.

Religious education for all grade levels is always available. Socializing on the patio will follow the 9:15 and 11 a.m. services.

The church is at 4949 Foothill Road. For information, call 644-3898.

Message on Forgiveness, Healing

The Rev. Irma Oestmann of the Unity Center Church in Thousand Oaks will discuss “Forgiveness Is the Key to Healing” on Sunday. This program will be followed by a healing service conducted by prayer ministers.

The 10 a.m. services, with live musical accompaniment, are held at the Holiday Inn, 495 N. Ventu Park Road. Call 496-6901 for information.

Seeking Meaning in Music

The Rev. James K. Bain Jr. will deliver a sermon titled “Sermons in Music” at 10 a.m. Sunday at First Presbyterian Church in Oxnard. The service will include music for choir and harp. A special offering of new, unwrapped toys for needy children will be received.

The Sunday schedule also includes three adult classes (“The Parables,” “Old Testament Characters” and “The Gospel of John”) at 9 a.m. and church school for all youth grades at 10 a.m.

The church is at 850 Ivywood Drive. Call 983-0608 for information.

School Gospel Choir to Sing

The Oxnard High School Gospel Choir will perform Sunday at Saint Paul Baptist Church in Oxnard. The group will sing during the 11 a.m. worship service.

The church is at 1354 South C St. Call 487-2015 for information.

40th Annual Vespers Program Set

On Sunday, Bardsdale United Methodist Church will continue its 40-year tradition of presenting a vespers program to celebrate the music of Advent and Christmas. Beginning at 6:45 p.m., the program will include performances by the Chancel Choir and hand-bell players, solos, group choral works, percussion and more. A fellowship time will immediately follow in Lebard Hall. There is no charge.

The church is at 1498 Bardsdale Ave., Fillmore. Call 524-2070 for information.

Children Perform ‘Angels Aware’

Conejo Valley Church of Christ in Thousand Oaks will host a Sunday performance of the children’s Christmas musical “Angels Aware.” A cast of 19 children, in grades 1 to 5, will portray a story of how angels learned God was going to Earth. The 5 p.m. show is free.

The church is at 25235 E. Hillcrest Drive. Call 498-3399 for information.

Lunchtime Advent Devotion

St. Paschal Baylon Catholic community invites the public to a lunchtime Advent devotion at 12:15 p.m. Wednesday at the church at 155 E. Janss Road in Thousand Oaks.

Psalms, readings and prayers of this holy season of expectation will be based on the liturgy of the hours.

For information, call 497-1370.

‘Drive-Thru Nativity’ Scheduled

The First Baptist Church of Camarillo has scheduled a “Drive-Thru Nativity” from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday.

“The drive-through features scenes telling the Christmas story with real people, plus plenty of great Christmas music,” said the church’s Dan Nelson.

The Nativity scene and First Baptist are at 1601 Temple Ave. For information, call 484-2879.

Christmas Carolers Sought

Christmas carolers are being sought by the Unity Center Church in Thousand Oaks to sing to shut-ins in the community.

Singers will meet at 6:30 p.m. Friday in the parking lot at the Westlake Village community room at City Hall, 4373 Park Terrace Drive, then carpool to various locations. The evening will end with hot cocoa and cider at the home of Steve and Cheryl Squiers. Call 496-6901 for information.

Concerts Planned at Old Mission

The Ventura Master Chorale, led by Burns Taft, will fill the 200-year-old Mission San Buenaventura in downtown Ventura with song during two holiday concerts.

The concerts, held in front of its 18th century altar, will feature the full chorale, the MasterSingers Chamber Ensemble and the Children’s Concert Choir, performing an array of holiday music, both new and familiar.

The concerts will be at 8 p.m. Friday and 4:30 p.m. Dec. 20.

Tickets cost $15 and $18 and may be purchased in advance by calling 653-7282. Tickets may also be bought at the Ventura Bookstore and Things From Heaven, both on Main Street in downtown Ventura; Henson’s Music in Camarillo and Oxnard; or at the door. For information, call 983-8135.

The mission, founded by Junipero Serra, is at 211 E. Main St.

Fellowship Presents Musical

Channel Islands Vineyard Christian Fellowship in Oxnard invites the public to its dramatic Christmas musical, “A Shepherd’s Story,” performed at 1851 Holser Walk, Suite 200, at 7 p.m. Friday and Dec. 19 and at 6 p.m. Dec. 20 and 24.

The audience should wear warm clothing, because the performance begins outside.

For information or directions, call 485-0050.

Students to Be in Living Nativity

For the 20th year, youngsters from the Simi Valley United Methodist Church are preparing an outdoor living Nativity scene at Erringer Road and Cochran Street in Simi Valley. Their “still-life” performances will run Dec. 22 through Christmas Eve.

Seventh- through 12th-graders will portray the characters of Mary, Joseph, shepherds, wise men and an angel, and the scene will be complete with a stable and manger.

The Nativity scene will be on display from 6:15 to 7 p.m. Dec. 22; from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Dec. 23; and from 6 to 6:45 p.m. Dec. 24.

The public is invited to walk or drive by. The church is at 2394 Erringer Road. For information, call 526-6231.

Shabbat Services Open to Public

The Tikvah Group in Camarillo’s Leisure Village holds Shabbat services on the third Friday of each month at Heritage House, 923 Carmen Drive.

All are welcome at the 7:30 p.m. service. For information, call 484-8129.

Religion Briefs run each Saturday. Please submit items at least a week in advance to Religion Briefs, Los Angeles Times, 93 S. Chestnut St., Ventura 93001. Items, which must have a publishable telephone number, may be faxed to 653-7576.