LCIF Celebrates A New Sound This Holiday Season

This Christmas Eve, Lutheran Church in the Foothills (LCIF) invites all to join in a joyful celebration of the birth of Christ. At 5:30 p.m., the congregation will gather for an outdoor Christmas Eve service at La Cañada’s Memorial Park. The community service is organized by several local churches. All are welcome to join in this festive event where the spirit of the season will be brought to life under the open sky.      

Following the outdoor service, attendees can move to the warmth and comfort of the LCIF sanctuary for the 7 p.m. service. Inside the church will be filled with candlelight and Christmas carols as Pastor Rick Hall leads the congregation in a celebration of the holiday’s spiritual significance. One of the highlights of the evening will be the tradition of singing “Silent Night” by candlelight.

The true meaning of Christmas, according to the Christian faith, lies in the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem, a pivotal moment in history that brought God’s love to the world in the form of a humble child. The nativity story reminds Christians of God’s promise of salvation, bringing light into the darkness and offering the hope of eternal life. For believers, Christmas is not just a time of festive cheer but also a sacred occasion to remember the gift of Christ and the message of peace and love.
For more information on LCIF’s Christmas celebrations, or general information about the church, visit 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 Friday.

‘Mary, Did You Know?’ Pondered at Mt. Olive

This year during the season of Advent at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church the question “Mary, did you know?” will be addressed during the midweek Advent services. Come and ponder Mary’s experience with heaven’s perfect lamb (Jesus) at Mt. Olive’s Holden Evening Prayer services at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 18. 

Mt. Olive is located at 3561 Foothill Blvd. in La Crescenta.

Experience The Nativity – A Free Gift To The Community

Community Christian Church of the Foothills in Tujunga invites the community to experience the joy of Christmas at its drive-thru nativity on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 13 and 14, from 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Community Christian Church of the Foothills will offer the opportunity to step back in time and experience the first Christmas via a drive-thru nativity. Guests will drive past various scenes of the nativity story with actors portraying Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, the angel and the wise men.

Community Christian Church is located at 10193 Tujunga Canyon Blvd. in Tujunga, just north of Foothill Boulevard and next to the Tujunga post office.

To learn more, visit CommunityChristianChurch.info or phone (818) 353-8080. Sunday worship is at 10 a.m.

Christmas Concert at La Crescenta Presbyterian

La Crescenta Presbyterian Church invites the community to “How Great Our Joy,” a Christmas concert on Wednesday, Dec. 18 at 7:30 p.m. 

Operatic baritone Joel Balzun and trumpet virtuoso David Washburn will join Sinfonia Orchestra members and the La Crescenta Presbyterian Choir for a selection of Christmas favorites arranged by Dan Forrest.

  The concert in the church sanctuary, followed by a dessert reception, are free to the community; a free-will offering will be collected.

La Crescenta Presbyterian is located at 2902 Montrose Ave. in La Crescenta. For more information, visit lcpc.net or call (818) 249-6137.

‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever’ at Glendale First United Methodist

The Glendale First United Methodist Church Children’s Ministry hosts“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” stage play. The play, based on the

children’s book written by Barbara Robinson, depicts the story of six siblings known as The Herdmans who have a reputation for being the worst kids in the world. However, when they take over the local church pageant, they teach a shocked community about the true meaning of Christmas.

  Tickets for the family production, will take place in the Carlson Fellowship Center at Glendale First United Methodist Church, 134 N. Kenwood St. in Glendale on Saturday, Dec. 21 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., may be purchased at the church office.

Following the play there will be an outside nativity scene that will include live animals, Santa, snow, hot chocolate and the opportunity to take pictures with the cast. Tickets are $5 for adults; children are free.   

For more information, please contact the church at (818) 243-2105.

Christmas Eve Services at La Crescenta Presbyterian

La Crescenta Presbyterian Church will celebrate Christmas Eve with two family-friendly candlelight services along with a petting zoo that recalls the rustic surroundings of Jesus’ birth.

The community is invited on Tuesday, Dec. 24 at 5 p.m. for a contemporary worship service featuring LCPC’s pastor the Rev. Dr. Mouris A. Yousef who will deliver the message, “The Word Became Flesh!” At the 7 p.m. worship service (featuring classic hymns), Pastor Mouris’ message will be “The People Who Missed Christmas!”

Bring the entire family and enjoy the live menagerie in front of the church from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

La Crescenta Presbyterian Church is located at 2902 Montrose Ave. in La Crescenta. For more information, visit lcpc.net or call the church office at (818) 249-6137.

Mt. Olive Offers A Breakfast Bible Study & A Community Lunch

Mt. Olive invites the Crescenta Valley community to its monthly breakfast Bible study at Panera Bread Restaurant, 990 Town Center Drive, Suite A in La Cañada on the third Saturday of each month at 8:30 a.m. A study of the Book of Second Corinthians began on Nov. 16. 

Also, a weekly Bible study is held at the church on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. 

Lastly, Mt. Olive offers a community luncheon every second Wednesday through May. For a suggested minimum donation of $5, a delicious lunch is offered including a brief uplifting devotion and some great entertainment provided by various local artists. 

Mt. Olive is located at 3561 Foothill Blvd. in La Crescenta.

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. 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.