Ojai Valley Adventist Sermon Series

* Pastor David Smith of Ojai Valley Adventist Church will begin a new sermon series today titled “Hark! And Then What Message?”

The service begins at 10:45 a.m. and blends contemporary Christian music with traditional songs of faith. Today’s service will be followed by a complimentary Christmas meal for members and visitors.

Bible study hour begins at 9:30 a.m.

The church is at 291 E. El Roblar Drive. For more information, call 955-7631.

Temple Beth Torah Hanukkah Fair

* Temple Beth Torah in Ventura will hold its Hanukkah boutique and Jewish program fair Sunday.

The free event will include gift and craft vendors, plus Jewish enrichment activities and information booths staffed by Jewish agencies. Hours are 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The temple is at 7620 Foothill Road. For more information, call 647-4181.

CLU Hosts Living Nativity Event

* Cal Lutheran University will hold its annual Las Posadas/Living Nativity event Sunday at 7 p.m. There will be a reenactment, beginning at the pavilion and ending at Samuelson Chapel, of Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter and a place for the birth of Jesus. Free.

The campus is at 60 W. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks. For more information, call 493-3151.

Hanukkah’s Origins Explained

* Student Rabbi Suzanne Singer will lead “A Taste of Hanukkah” workshop Sunday at Temple Adat Elohim in Thousand Oaks. The program will introduce the meanings, traditions and origins of the Jewish holiday. Hours are 9:30 to -11 a.m. Reservations are suggested.

The temple is at 2420 E. Hillcrest Drive. For more information, call 497-7101.

Temple Ner Ami Book Fair

* Temple Ner Ami in Camarillo will hold its first book fair Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be classic and award-winning Judaic titles for children and adults. Proceeds will benefit the congregation’s Torah School program.

The temple is at 4098 Calle Tesoro, Suite D. For more information, call 389-3205.

First Baptist’s 50th Anniversary

* First Baptist Church in Thousand Oaks will celebrate its 50th anniversary will a swing band concert tonight at 7, featuring the Ralph Carmichael Big Band. Tickets are $20.

The winter schedule of Sunday services and programs includes Bible study, all ages, 9:15 a.m.; worship service, 10:30 a.m.; children’s church, 10:30 a.m.; youth fellowship, 5:30 p.m.; children’s program, 5:30 p.m.; adult training, 5:30 p.m.; evening worship service, 6:30 p.m.

The church is at 1250 Erbes Road. For more information, call 495-2531.

Camarillo Community to Worship

* Camarillo Community Church holds Sunday worship services at 8, 9, 10:10 and 11:20 a.m. The church is at 1322 Las Posas Road. For more information, call 482-2657.

Services at Trinity Presbyterian

* The Rev. Kent Meads and the Rev. Scott Parker on Sunday lead services at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Camarillo. Services are at 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m.

The church is at the corner of Las Posas Road and Antonio Avenue. For more information, call 484-0530.

Sermon Examines Disconnections

* Rev. Betty Stapleford on Sunday will examine the “implications of disconnection” at Conejo Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. The sermon, “Bowling Alone or With a Team,” draws from Robert Putnam’s recent book, “Bowling Alone.”

Services are at 10 a.m. and are held at the Goebel Senior Adult Center, 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. For more information, call 492-8751.

Our Saviour’s Communion Service

* The Rev. Mary Ann Fiene will preach during the 9:15 a.m. Sunday service at Our Saviour’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Oxnard. This week’s service will include a visit by St. Nicholas and Holy Communion.

Sunday school is held at 11 a.m. Child care is provided.

The church is at 905 Redwood St. For more information, call 486-5383.

‘Oh Say Can America See’

* Pastor James K. Bain Jr. will deliver the sermon “Oh Say Can America See” at 10 a.m. Sunday at First Presbyterian Church of Oxnard. The sermon is based on Mark 1:1-8.

Also Sunday, a new member class will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Dinner will be served and child care is available upon request. Reservations for the class and child care are requested.

There will be Sunday school for youths during the service. Adult Sunday school begins at 9 a.m. Child care is available at all services. The church is at 850 Ivywood Drive. For more information, call 983-0204.

Mass Schedule at St. Anthony’s

* St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Oxnard will celebrate Mass at 5:15 p.m. today and hears confessions from 3:30 to 5 p.m. and 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Sunday Mass will be celebrated at 7:30, 9 and 10:30 a.m. in English, and a Spanish-language Mass will be held at noon and 1:30 p.m.

The church is at 2511 S. C St. For more information, call 486-7301.

Unity Center Church Services

* Rev. Irma Oestmann will deliver the message “The Power of Nonresistance” Sunday at Unity Center Church in Thousand Oaks. The 10 a.m. service will include music by the Cornelius sisters, accompanied by pianist Zack Spencer.

Children’s church is held during the service and child care is available. Also on Sunday, a continuing adult discussion series will be held at 9:15 a.m.

The church meets at Old Meadows Park’s Community Room at 1600 Marview Road. For more information, call 496-6901.

Unitarian Universalist Services

* The Rev. Judith Cohen will give a sermon Sunday at Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura.

Services will be at 9:15 and 11 a.m. Child care and religious education are available during the first service.

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

Temple Aims to Teach Hebrew

* Temple Etz Chaim, 1080 Janss Road, Thousand Oaks, on Sunday will conclude the series “Read Hebrew America,” a nationwide campaign aimed at teaching Jewish adults to read Hebrew. Course work includes the Hebrew alphabet and basic reading skills. No background in the language is required. For more information, call 497-6891.

Camarillo Methodists to Gather

* Camarillo United Methodist Church will hold worship services, directed by Jim Decker-Mahin, each Sunday at 9 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday school and child care are available during both services for infants through fifth grade.

The church is at 291 Anacapa Drive. For more information or to obtain a Sunday school registration form, call 482-4312.

Simi Methodists to Worship

* Simi Valley United Methodist Church will hold worship services, directed by Rev. Brandon Cho, each Sunday at 8 and 10 a.m. This week the congregation will celebrate the First Sunday of Advent. Members and guests are encouraged to bring a teddy bear or other unwrapped gifts, which will be donated to underprivileged children, toddlers through teenagers.

Child care for infants and preschoolers is offered during both services. Sunday school for adults and children begins at 9 a.m. Mission Hispana Biblica celebrates worship in Spanish at 1:30 p.m., followed by fellowship in Witman Hall.

The church is at 2394 Erringer Road. For more information, call 526-631.

Live Music at Simi Presbyterian

* Simi Valley Presbyterian Church will hold worship services with live contemporary music at 5:30 p.m. Saturdays and at 8 and 9:30 a.m. Sundays. A traditional worship service is held at 11:15 a.m. Sundays.

The youth program Just for Kids! is scheduled at 5:30 p.m. Saturdays and 9:30 a.m. Sundays.

The church is at 4832 Cochran St. For more information, call 526-5475

Worship Celebration at Vineyard

* Vineyard Christian Fellowship in Thousand Oaks will have its Sunday worship celebration at 10:05 a.m.

A nursery and Sunday school classes are provided, while those who are high school or college age will remain for the regular service.

The church has music, teaching and a casual atmosphere. The fellowship is at 480 W. Gainesborough Road. For more information, call 379-0237.

St. Paul’s Multilingual Services

* St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Oxnard holds its Sunday worship service at 10:15 p.m. Senior Pastor Adiel De Pano will deliver the message. Child care is available for children 4 and younger.

The Japanese ministry worships at 2 p.m., led by the Rev. Shiro Kato. The Rev. Victor Salas will lead a new Spanish-language worship service at 6 p.m.

The church is at 1800 South C St. For more information, call 487-2711.

Vineyard Fellowship Services

* Channel Islands Vineyard Christian Fellowship in Oxnard has services with contemporary music and casual dress at 9 and 11 a.m. Sunday.

The church is at 1851 Holser Walk, Suite 200. For more information, call 485-0050.

Jewish Approach to Death, Burial

* The Conejo Jewish Academy will offer the three-part series “With Honor and Dignity,” focusing on the Jewish approach to death, burial and mourning. Dates, all beginning at 8 p.m., are Monday, Dec. 11 and Dec. 18. The series covers what to do when a loved one is dying; how to accord honor and dignity to the deceased; proper preparation for burial, and Jewish funeral traditions. Cost is $18.

The academy is at 30345 Canwood St., Agoura Hills. For more information, call (818) 991-0991.

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