In Focus: Staff photos from Dec 21 - Dec 27

CHURCH:
Worshipers hold candles at the close of the Christmas Eve service at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest.  (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

THANKFUL:
Trainer Jorge Periban regularly whispers words of gratitude to racehorses under his watchful eye, such as Stormy Racer at Santa Anita.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

IN YOUR FACE:
Nick Berardino, right, general manager of the Orange County Employees Assn., confronts Mario Mainero, chief of staff for Orange County Supervisor John Moorlach, over the county’s layoff plans.  (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

SUFFERING IN SILENCE:
Destiny Himmel, 16, has long been self-conscious about her family’s situation, and kept their poverty a secret even from her pastor back home in Michigan. “This is embarrassing. . . . I don’t want people to look down on me or think they have to pity me,” she said.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

BATHED IN REFLECTION:
Hoffman finds he can relate to his character in “Last Chance Harvey,” in which he stars with Emma Thompson.  (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)