Religion Briefs

‘Giving Up on the White House’ * Pastor David Smith of Ojai Valley Adventist Church will present the Christmas message “Giving Up on the White House” today. The sermon is the third installment of the series, “Hark! And Then What Message?” Carols will be performed throughout the service, which begins at 10:45 a.m.

Bible study begins at 9:30 a.m.

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

Church to Hold Children’s Party

* St. Paschal Baylon Catholic Church in Thousand Oaks will hold its children’s Christmas party today. The annual event is attended by underprivileged children from the church and the community. There will be food and refreshments, entertainment and games. Former major league baseball manager Sparky Anderson is schedule to attend. Gifts, provided by parishioners and others, will be handed out to the children. The event will begin at 11:30 a.m.

On Tuesday, the church will hold a communal celebration of the Sacrament of Penance at 7:30 p.m. There will be 11 priests available to hear confessions.

The church is at 15 E. Janss Road. Call 496-0222.

Bahais Host Public Worship Service

* Bahai faith of Oxnard and Ventura will host a public worship service from 2 to 3 p.m. today at Roger Jones Community Center, 2864 Jourdan St., Oxnard. People of all religious backgrounds are invited to share Bahai worship through readings and prayers. Call 644-6809.

Pastor to Speak on Being ‘Discipled’

* Senior Pastor William Colburn will deliver the message “What Does It Mean to Be Discipled?” today at Ventura Seventh-day Adventist Church. Services begin at 10:45 a.m.

Bible study for all ages is held each Saturday at 9:30 a.m. The church is at 6300 Telephone Road. For information, call 642-5387.

Winter Schedule at First Baptist

* First Baptist Church in Thousand Oaks offers the following winter schedule of Sunday services and programs: 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.

Sermons at United Church of Christ

* The Rev. Frank Johnson offers sermons each Sunday at 10 a.m. at United Church of Christ in Simi Valley.

The church is at 370 Royal Ave. For more information, call 495-3093.

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.

Candlelight Walk and Prayers

* St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church in Westlake Village will hold a candlelight labyrinth walk and prayer service at 5 p.m. Sunday. After the walk, participants will enter the new church for a prayer service, with readings and song.

The church is at 5801 Kanan Road. For more information, call (818) 991-3915.

Choir to Perform Vivaldi’s ‘Gloria’

* The Chancel Choir at First United Methodist Church in Ventura will perform Vivaldi’s “Gloria” at 3 p.m. Sunday. The choir will be accompanied by a 10-piece chamber ensemble. Sopranos are Linda Ottsen and Patricia McPherson; altos, Echo Kukuchek and Susan Samonsky. Free. Child care will be available. For more information, call 643-8621.

Church Offers Music for Bells, Brass

* The Rev. Kent Meads delivers sermons each Sunday at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Camarillo. Services are at 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m.

This week, the Trinity Handbell Choir will perform at 3 p.m. Also on the program is the Nothing But Brass ensemble, plus soloists. Free.

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

Fellowship to Celebrate Solstice

* The Conejo Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship will present a worship service Sunday to celebrate the winter solstice. The service will be led by Robin Lindsey and Darcey Lober, both members of the worship committee.

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.

Service at Community Christian

* Community Christian Church of Moorpark holds a worship service each Sunday at 9:30 a.m., led by Pastor Steven L. Day and Associate Pastor Perry Schjolin. This week, the Children’s Community Choir will present “The S Files” during the service.

Nursery preschool, elementary, junior high and senior high Bible school classes begin at 9:30 a.m.

The church is at 216 Moorpark Ave., No. 200. For more information, call 529-3572.

Handicapables Host Special Day

* The West Ventura County Handicapables will host a day of spiritual and social enrichment today at St. Rose of Lima Church, 1305 Royal Ave., Simi Valley. Registration and “get acquainted time” are at 11 a.m., followed by Mass at 11:30. A luncheon, with entertainment, will follow the service. People of all faiths are welcome. For more information, call 452-4050 or 648-6686.

Sunday Service at Our Saviour’s

* The Rev. Mary Ann Fiene will preach at the 9:15 a.m. Sunday service at Our Saviour’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Oxnard. This week’s service will include a children’s Christmas program 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.

St. Matthew’s Offers 2 Services

* St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church in Newbury Park will hold worship services at 8:30 and 10 a.m. Sunday. The Rev. Lynne Austin will deliver the message “Dare to Rejoice,” focusing on Micah 5:2-5 and Luke 1:39-45.

Worship at St. Matthew’s is relaxed and interactive, with child care and children’s classes available during the second service. The church is at 1360 S. Wendy Drive. For more information, call 498-6910.

Oxnard Choir to Present ‘Sermon’

* The Chancel Choir will present “Sermon in Song” at 10 a.m. Sunday at First Presbyterian Church of Oxnard. The program is based on Luke 35:1-2.

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 hear confessions from 3:30 to 5 p.m. and from 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 celebrated at noon and 1:30 p.m.

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

Unity Center Church Services

* The Rev. Irma Oestmann will deliver the message “Stop Fretting, Start Blessing” Sunday at Unity Center Church in Thousand Oaks. The 10 a.m. service will include music by pianist Richard Jones.

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.

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 the Rev. Brandon Cho, at 8 and 10 a.m. Sunday.

The church will host the Christmas musical “Welcome to Our World,” by Claire Cloninger and Robert Sterling, at 7 p.m. today. The concert will feature a 30-piece orchestra, plus adult and children’s choirs, soloists and narration. Freewill offering.

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.

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.

This week’s service will feature the Chancel Choir performing Joseph M. Martin’s cantata, “The Winter Rose,” which incorporates traditional carols and anthems to portray the birth and life of Christ. Narration by Pamela Martin.

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 on Monday will conclude the series “With Honor and Dignity,” focusing on the Jewish approach to death, burial and mourning. The program, beginning at 8 p.m., 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. The cost is $18.

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