A Christian Story in Words, Music and Living ‘Statuary’

Mount of Olives Lutheran Church in Mission Viejo will present its sixth annual Living Arts Pageant next Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The life of Christ is depicted in famous paintings and “statuary” by live performers. The art show is accompanied by narration as well as vocal and instrumental music. More than 200 congregants will participate. Performances are at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 7:30 p.m. Sunday. The church is at 24772 Chrisanta Drive in Mission Viejo. The requested donation is $7 for tickets, which can be purchased from the church office or at the door. Child care is provided. (949) 837-7467.

Passover Seders

Sample fine Kosher wines and Passover foods during A Taste of Passover this evening at Temple Beth Shalom in Santa Ana. The Sisterhood of Congregation B’nai Tzedek will co-host the event at 7:30 p.m. The Helfley Street Klezmer Band will perform. Proceeds will benefit MAZON, A Jewish Response to Hunger. Tickets are $12. Temple Beth Shalom is at 2625 North Tustin Ave. (714) 962-2197.

A Jewish/Latino Passover Seder, celebrating the common roots of Judaism and Christianity, will be held April 4 at the Diocese of Orange’s Marywood Center. Rabbi Shelton Donnell of Temple Beth Shalom in Santa Ana and Jaime Soto, auxiliary bishop of the diocese, will participate. Jewish and Hispanic choirs will perform. The event is sponsored by the Anti-Defamation League of Orange County and Long Beach. The seder is at 7 p.m. The Marywood Center is at 2811 E. Villa Real Drive. (714) 979-4733.

Focus on Youth

Issues and concerns of youth and parents in south Orange County will be addressed in a free Parent, Youth and Community Forum at Geneva Presbyterian Church next Saturday from 3 to 5 p.m. Sponsors are the Saddleback Valley and Capistrano unified school districts, Creative Mentoring, Passkeys Foundation and the host church. Topics will include youth violence, character education, sports and mentoring, community action and faith-based efforts. The church is at 24301 El Toro Road in Laguna Hills. (949) 829-9859.

Also at Geneva Presbyterian, a Bridgebuilders seminar will be held to help grandparents pass on their faith and values to youth. The free event is 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday. The objective is to provide principles and tools to help instill character and noble purpose. Seating is limited. (949) 830-8870.

Super Sunday

This Sunday is Super Sunday, the Jewish Federation of Orange County’s community outreach fund-raiser for its 2001 Annual Campaign. The campaign helps the elderly and supports eight local agencies, including the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization, the Bureau of Jewish Education, the Hillel Foundation, the Jewish Community Center and three schools. The campaign also provides rescue and resettlement services to Jews in the former Soviet Union, and aids in the revitalization of Jewish life in Israel and around the world. Volunteers are needed. Pledges are also welcome. The Jewish Federation is at 250 E. Baker St., Suite A., Costa Mesa. (714) 755-5555.

Faith: How to Keep It

The Presbyterian Church of the Master in Mission Viejo will offer a spring-themed Faith Renewal Weekend beginning this evening. The featured guest will be teacher, seminar leader and professional musician the Rev. Isaiah Jones, pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Palo Alto. At 6 p.m., Jones will deliver the message “Greatness Comes through Service.” Festivities will include a concert and an ice cream social. Child care is available with reservations. On Sunday, Jones will speak on “God’s Great Confidence in You” at 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m. The church is at 26051 Marguerite Parkway. (949) 582-2670.

The 20th annual Brea Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast will be held Wednesday at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Brea. Former Rep. Ron Packard will speak on “Faith and the Future.” The men’s a capella chorus Vocal Fusion will perform. Hosts are the city of Brea, the Brea Ministerial Assn. and the Kiwanis Club of Brea. Tickets, $12.50, must be bought in advance by sending a check payable to the Kiwanis Club of Brea, c/o Cheryl Mason, 19316 E. Platt River Drive, Walnut, CA 91789. The event runs from 6:45 to 8:30 a.m. The hotel is at 900 E. Birch St. (714) 990-7771.

Playing Vatican City

Vatican City won’t hear the Golden West College International Symphonic Band perform until July 4, but you can hear a preview at Spring Concert 2001 in Huntington Beach. The 60-member band will perform for Pope John Paul II this summer. Since its foundation in 1966 by Maestro Tom Hernandez, the troupe has toured the U.S. and Europe. Concerts will start at 8 p.m. next Friday and Saturday at the college’s Mainstage Theatre. Tickets are $10.50, or $8.50 for children under 12. Golden West College is at 15744 Goldenwest St. (714) 895-8150.

Religious event notices of countywide interest 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