LCIF Welcomes Hoving House Choir

In a departure from the traditional Sunday sermon, on March 1 the sanctuary of Lutheran Church in the Foothills (LCIF) was filled with songs of redemption and personal accounts of recovery as the choir from Hoving Home took center stage. The women of the Pasadena-based nonprofit shared their testimonies and musical talents in lieu of a standard sermon, providing the congregation with a firsthand look at the impact of the church’s charitable support. Hoving Home, a faith-based rehabilitation program founded in 1967, serves women seeking to overcome drug and alcohol addiction. The Pasadena campus, which opened its doors in 1984, has become a primary focus of the church’s community outreach efforts.

LCIF has supported the facility through grants from its endowment fund. Church members also recently demonstrated their commitment to the cause by attending the Hoving Home silent auction fundraiser during the 2024 Christmas season.

The Hoving Home choir utilized the service to showcase the “holistic” approach of it recovery model, which focuses on spiritual growth and community reintegration. The program is designed to provide women with the tools necessary to rebuild their lives after the devastation of substance abuse. 

For many in the pews, the service served as a tangible result of the church’s financial stewardship.

LCIF continues to welcome the community to attend its Wednesday evening soup suppers, offering a midweek opportunity for food and reflection during this season of Lent. The next supper will be held Wednesday, March 11  at 6 p.m. in the church’s fellowship hall, followed by a 7 p.m. service. Sunday worship continues to be held at 10 a.m.

For more information about all activities at LCIF, please visit the church’s website: lcifoothills.org. Those who need pastoral care can email office@lcifoothills.org or call (818) 790-1951. The church is located at 1700 Foothill Blvd. in La Cañada Flintridge. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

Blessing of the Animals at Shadow Hills Church

Shadow Hills Church celebrates the Blessing of the Animals and Animal Resource Fair on Saturday, March 14 from noon – 3 p.m. Shadow Hills Church has a 75-year history of welcoming God’s creatures. Pastor Doug Nason will pray for each animal that is present and a complimentary photo will be taken. There will also be a refreshment stand. 

Horses, cats, dogs, llamas, iguanas, fish, hamsters, goats, sheep rabbits, lizards, birds – all furry, feathered, hairy and scaly friends – are welcome. 

Shadow Hills Church, 10158 Johanna Ave. (at Sunland Blvd.) in Sunland.

For more information call (818) 353-2500 or email Info@shadowhillschurch.org.

Soup & Cinema at St. Bede

St. Bede the Venerable Parish in La Cañada invites the community to its annual Soup & Cinema series, a Lenten offering that brings together fellowship and faith through shared meals, film and discussion. Soup & Cinema will be held on Wednesday evening March 11. Soup & Cinema evenings will be held in St. Bede’s new state-of-the-art parish hall.

The evening begins with a simple potluck soup supper at 6 p.m., followed by a film screening at 6:30 p.m. and guided discussion. Participants are invited to contribute by signing up for a potluck item through the parish website. This year’s films were selected to reflect St. Bede’s overall Lenten theme, Sowing the Seeds of Hope, highlighting lives of faith and service that encourage renewal, perseverance and Christian witness. The series is led once again by Fr. Darrin Merlino, CMF, who returns after many years of guiding Soup & Cinema at St. Bede. With a professional background in film, Fr. Darrin brings a unique perspective to each evening, helping participants explore both the spiritual themes as well as the artistic elements of each film.

On Wednesday, March 11 there is a screening of “Triumph of the Heart.”

Soup & Cinema is open to all and is offered as part of St. Bede the Venerable Parish’s Lenten programming. No registration required and there is no cost to attend.  Free will donations are gratefully accepted and appreciated. 

For more information and to sign up for a potluck item, visit bede.org.

St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church is located at 215 Foothill Blvd. in La Cañada Flintridge.

Lent at Mount Olive Lutheran Church

Mount Olive will be having weekly Wednesday soup suppers followed by Lenten services. Soup supper starts at 6 p.m. in the fellowship hall, Lenten service follows at 7 p.m. All are welcome to join this journey as Pastor Tim Singleton brings a series of meditations on the Stations of the Cross. 

The Sunday Lenten worship service is held at 9:30 a.m. every Sunday and all are welcome. Mount Olive is located at 3561 Foothill Blvd. in La Crescenta. Those who have questions can call the office at (818) 248-4253 or visit MOLC.org.

Red Cross Blood Drive in La Crescenta

The community is invited to give the life-saving gift of blood at a Red Cross Blood Drive on Sunday, March 29 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The blood drive will be held at La Crescenta Presbyterian Church, 2902 Montrose Ave. in La Crescenta. Visit lcpc.net/giveblood to sign up. 

Blood is essential for surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illnesses and traumatic injuries. Those who have been looking for a local venue to donate, are encouraged to sign up and attend!

For more information, contact La Crescenta Presbyterian at (818) 249-6137.

Anxious Generation Addressed

The community is invited to La Crescenta Presbyterian Church for a free presentation on The Anxious Generation – Discussing the intersection of technology, mental health and faith. The presentations will be on Wednesday evenings continuing through March 18 from 6:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. They are given by Dot Kim and Jamie Given in the Fireside Room. 

Dinner available for purchase.

La Crescenta Presbyterian Church, 2902 Montrose Ave. in La Crescenta.

CSL Offers Gentle Movement Class

The Center for Spiritual Living – La Crescenta is offering a gentle stretch and relax chair movement with Michelle Gillette. It takes place every Friday from 10 to 11 a.m. The cost is a $10 donation.

The class is at Chaffee Hall in the Center for Spiritual Living – La Crescenta.

The Center for Spiritual Living is located at 4845 Dunsmore Ave. in La Crescenta. For more information, call (818) 249-1045.

Walk and Word 

Walk and Word participants will meet in the parking lot of Deukmejian Wilderness Park, 3429 Markridge Road in La Crescenta/Glendale at 8 a.m. on March 8, 15, 22 & 29. Participants will walk for the first hour and then gather to read a selection of Scripture. About a half hour will be spent journaling about what was read and then there will be conversation, sharing thoughts.

Participants are asked to bring something to write with, anything wanted to eat or drink, and a chair to use for the writing part of the morning. Because people will be outdoors and social distancing will be practiced, masks will be optional. 

Those with questions can email Jeanne at jnlavieri@earthlink.net. 

All are welcome. If the hike is too strenuous, there are level paths at the park. There are ramps from the parking lot to the field where the group gathers after the hike.