15 Faiths to Light the Way in Huntington

A New Year’s interfaith parade of lights along the sands of Huntington Beach is expected to draw more than 1,000 participants, organizers said.

The Jan. 7 Procession of Light, sponsored by the Greater Huntington Beach Interfaith Council, will feature more than 15 faiths, including congregants from the Christian, Jewish and Muslim communities.

Prayers, songs (from choirs and bands), and chants will be part of the three-hour program, which begins at 3 p.m. at the Pier Plaza. At sunset, participants will be given “glow sticks” and will walk as a group along the boardwalk.

The afternoon will begin with a blowing of the Jewish shofar, a ringing of a church bell, and an Islamic chant.

The Procession of Light, in its second year, is designed to display the unity and diversity of Orange County’s faith communities. Information: (714) 570-6477.

Christmas Events

Mount of Olives Church will offer Christmas Eve services at 8:30 and 10 a.m. Candlelight Christmas Eve services will take place at 4:30, 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. Christmas Day services will be at 10:30 a.m. Child care will be available for all services. The church is at 24772 Chrisanta Drive, Mission Viejo. (949) 837-7467.

Light of the Canyon United Methodist Church will have a candlelight Christmas Eve service at 7 p.m. The church is at 101 S. Chaparral Court, Anaheim Hills. (714) 283-4633.

Rancho Santa Margarita United Methodist Church’s morning worship services for Christmas Eve will feature a dramatic performance of “Where Love Is, God Is” at 9 and 10:40 a.m. Nursery Care and Sunday school provided for children through grade six. Christmas Eve Candlelight services, with chamber and orchestral music, will take place at 5 and 7 p.m. The church is at 22521 Empresa, Suites 103-105, Rancho Santa Margarita. (949) 589-1502. https://www.smumc.com.

The Rev. Karen Stoyanoff and religious education director JoAnne Weber-Baligad will lead a service for young children and their families at 5 p.m. Christmas Eve at the Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church. A social hour will follow. The church is at 1259 Victoria St., Costa Mesa. (949) 646-4652.

Mount Calvary Lutheran Church will offer a Christmas Eve service at 9:45 a.m. Candlelight communion services will take place at 5 and 11 p.m. Music will be provided by the Carillon Choir and organist C.C. Model. The church is at 5895 Ball Road, Cypress. (714) 527-6311.

Christmas Eve worship services at Redeemer Lutheran Church will take place as follows: English speakers may worship at 8 a.m. and 11 p.m., and attend a Sunday School Christmas program at 11 a.m. Vietnamese speakers may worship at 8 p.m. The church is at 16351 Springdale St., Huntington Beach. (714) 846-6330.

Christmas Eve services at Laguna Presbyterian Church will begin with a Chancel Choir performance at 9 a.m. Then at 5 and 7 p.m., the Orchestral Ensemble will join the Chancel Choir and Senior and Junior Bells for a worship concert. Nursery care and a children’s workshop will be offered. A candlelight service featuring music by Prelude Music, the Chancel Choir and the Junior and Senior Bells will take place at 11 p.m. The church is at 415 Forest Ave., Laguna Beach. (949) 494-7555.

A service for families with young children will occur at 5 p.m. Christmas Eve at Trinity United Presbyterian Church. A family-friendly service will take place at 7 p.m. Candlelight services, with Holy Communion, will be at 9 and 11 p.m. The church is at 13922 N. Prospect Ave., Santa Ana. (714) 544-7850.

Liberty Baptist Church will present “Christmas at the Keyboard,” featuring music director Danny Thomas, at 4 p.m. Christmas Eve. The event is free. The church is at 1000 Bison Ave., Newport Beach. (949) 760-5444. https://www.libertybaptistchurch.org.

Children’s services, highlighting a live nativity, will take place at 3 and 5 p.m. Christmas Eve at Red Hill Lutheran Church. There will be traditional candlelight services at 7, 9 and 11 p.m. Holy Communion will be served during the 11 p.m. service. Christmas Day worship, with Holy Communion, will occur at 10 a.m. The church is at 13200 Red Hill Ave., Tustin. (714) 544-3131.

A service of lessons and carols, featuring the Kirk Choir, will be offered at 10 a.m. Christmas Eve at the First Presbyterian Church of Fullerton. At 4 p.m., there will be a children’s Christmas recital, followed by a family worship service at 4:30 p.m. The ‘Tis the Season Handbell Carolers will perform at 7:30 p.m., followed by services at 8 p.m. with Communion. The ‘Tis the Season Handbell Carolers perform again at 9:30 p.m. and services are at 10 p.m. with Communion. The church is at 838 N. Euclid St., Fullerton. (714) 526-7701.

The Rev. Robert Jordon Ross, emeritus, will lead a family Christmas Eve service at 7 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of South County. The church is at 25801 Obrero Drive, No. 7, Mission Viejo. (949) 581-0245.

The United Methodist Church of Garden Grove will offer a family service at 7 p.m. Christmas Eve. Nursery care will be available. A candlelight service will take place 10 p.m. The church is at 12741 Main St., Garden Grove. (714) 534-1070.

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Laguna Beach will hold “A Bountiful Christmas Breakfast” at 10:30 a.m. Christmas Eve. The $10 donation will benefit the community’s less fortunate. The Rev. Marcia Olsen will lead a candlelight service at 7 p.m. Attendees are asked to bring holiday refreshments to share. The church is at 429 Cypress Drive, Laguna Beach. (949) 497-4568.

St. Matthew’s Traditional Church will celebrate Christmas at 6 p.m. Christmas Eve. The church is at 1723 Westcliff Drive, Newport Beach. (949) 646-1152.

The children of St. Mark Presbyterian Church will present the Christmas pageant “Something About a Baby” at 9:30 a.m. Christmas Eve. A candlelight service will be at 7 p.m. The church is at 2100 Mar Vista Drive, Newport Beach. (949) 644-1341.

Seal Beach Church of Religious Science will hold a Christmas Eve candlelight service, featuring music of the season, at 6 p.m. The church is at 500 Marina Drive, Seal Beach. (562) 598-3325.

Hanukkah Events

The Young Business and Professionals Division of the Jewish Federation Orange County will co-host a Hanukkah party, “Winter Gala Under the Stars” from 7 p.m. to midnight Sunday at Orange Hill Restaurant. The event, designed for singles and couples ages 25 to 45, costs $70 per person. The restaurant is at 6410 E. Chapman Ave., Orange. The federation is at 250 E. Baker St., Suite A, Costa Mesa. (714) 755-5555.

Chabad of Irvine will hold a “Grand Hanukkah Party” at 7:30 p.m. today. Festivities will include a giant menorah lighting, live music, face painting and more. Admission is free. The center is at 4980 Barranca Parkway, Irvine. (949) 786-5000.

The Hallel Choir of Temple Aviv Judea Messianic Synagogue will present a reader’s theater production of “The Very Best Hanukkah Gift” at 7:30 p.m. today. A Hanukkah supper and celebration, hosted by the Sisterhood, will follow. The temple is at 815 S. Esplanade Ave., Orange. (949) 581-0716.

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Religious event notices may be sent to Gena Pasillas at The Times’ Orange County edition, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa 92626. They also may be faxed to (714) 966-7711 or sent by e-mail to gena.pasillas@latimes.com