LCIF ‘Sings In’ the Holidays

Lutheran Church in the Foothills (LCIF) invites the community to usher in the Advent and Christmas season with a festive evening of song and refreshment. The church will host “Concert, Cookies and Carols” on Sunday, Dec. 7 at 7  p.m. in the LCIF Fellowship Hall. The evening will include a special piano concert presented by Katherine Frantsen, LCIF’s gifted accompanist. Frantsen, who has been recognized as a piano prodigy since taking up the instrument at age 6, will showcase some of the music she has performed in recent recitals. Frantsen studied piano as a child in Iowa. During her competitive high school years, she won the state championship in piano performance at the highest level of competition and secured a college scholarship in 2022. Frantsen also served as the accompanist at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Clarksville, Iowa. She

is currently a senior at Biola University, majoring in piano performance with a minor in biblical studies.

Following Frantsen’s concert, attendees will be invited to join in singing some of the season’s most beloved Christmas carols. Guests are welcome to bring family and friends and are asked to bring along a batch of their favorite Christmas cookies or dessert to share for the social following the music. 

LCIF has a variety of events for the community. For information, including small group gatherings and opportunities to serve or to request/offer help, 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.

Eckler to Perform at Center for Spiritual Living

Brian Ecker, a local professional singer of Neil Diamond songs, will be performing at Center for Spiritual Living, 4845 Dunsmore Ave. in La Crescenta from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6. Donation is $15. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served after the concert. 

Kick off the holiday with some music fun and treats. Enjoy Christmas songs from the Neil Diamond Christmas album, plus some of Neil Diamond’s favorite songs.  

Brian Ecker was raised in La Cañada and has been singing professionally for several years.

Christmas Events at Mount Olive

Mount Olive will be having weekly Advent services every Wednesday evening, “The Holly and the Ivy” at 7 p.m. Take part in this special service as we wait for the coming of the Savior. This year during the Season of Advent we will ponder the meaning of the “Holly and the Ivy” at the midweek Holden Evening Prayer worship services on Dec. 3, Dec. 10 and Dec. 17 ^– all at 7 p.m. 

The hymn the “Holly and the Ivy” is a beautiful English Christmas carol with roots in medieval Christian folklore. It’s lyrics point to the holly tree and the ivy vine, which are two evergreens associated with winter, both conveying spiritual theme of eternal life. Also, the holly tree’s leaves and berries convey the additional them of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. 

Dec. 10 will be Mount Olive’s Community Luncheon at noon in the Fellowship Hall. Enjoy some food, fellowship and entertainment! We always have some great musicians stopping by to play for us! 

Christmas Carols and Creches is a three-night event hosted by the local members of the LDS Church at 4550 Raymond Ave. in La Crescenta, (behind Ralph’s market) on Friday, Dec. 12, Saturday, Dec. 13 and Sunday, Dec. 14 from 5 – 8 p.m. Friday includes LCHS Chamber Singers; Saturday includes the Clarion Choir and Bells of Joy from Mount Olive Lutheran Church and Sunday will have the CVHS Charismatic Singers. From 6-8 p.m. each night guests can view nativities, including a live nativity, a slide show and light refreshments. There will be crafts for the children as well. All ages are welcome; admission is free. 

Visit molc.org for more information about these and other opportunities for Christian fellowship and service. Email or call: office@molc.org or (818) 248-4253. 

Mt. Olive is located at 3561 Foothill Blvd. 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.

Christmas Carols & Creches

Christmas Carols & Creches, a three-night community celebration, will be presented on Dec. 12, 13 and 14 at 4550 Raymond Ave. in La Crescenta, hosted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.    

A musical presentation will take place from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The viewing of hundreds of Nativity displays is from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The event is free. All are welcome. Light refreshments will be served.

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 Dec. 14, 21 & 28. 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.