Here is a sampling of upcoming faith gatherings in the San Fernando Valley area.
Dec. 23
Las Posadas on Olvera Street: A pre-procession activity for ages 3-12 is a children’s pinata, 6:30 p.m. tonight and Dec. 24. The procession begins at the Avila Adobe, 7:15 p.m. tonight and Dec. 24 (statues of Mary and Joseph are carried, tonight; Mary and Joseph re-enactors, and a baby Jesus statue display, on Dec. 24). Music from Grupo Rondalla del Sol, 6:30-8 p.m. Free sweet bread and champurrado given out after the procession. Location, 845 N. Alameda St., Los Angeles. Map of Olvera Street area: calleolvera.com. Details on the event here: www.olveraevents.com/olvera-street-las-posadas
Dec. 24
Saddleback Church Los Angeles – Christmas services: The Rev. Zac Tsai leads the 9 and 11 a.m. services (indoors) and the 5 p.m. candlelight and caroling service (outdoors). Also, the church offers a pancake breakfast, 10:30-11 a.m., before the Christmas Day service, 11 a.m. Dec. 25. Location, Van Nuys Middle School, 14658 Albers St. (at Cedros Avenue). Select Los Angeles campus on the website: www.saddleback.com
Prince of Peace Episcopal Church services: Fourth Sunday in Advent Holy Communion, 9 a.m. (Sunday’s service bulletin, tinyurl.com/438um2aa). Musical prelude to Christmas Eve Candlelight early service, 4:45 p.m., followed by a Family Communion service; Contemplative Communion service, 8 p.m. Also, Christmas Day and Holy Communion, 9 a.m. Dec. 25. Newsletter: www.popwh.org/happenings.html. Location, 5700 Rudnick Ave., Woodland Hills. 818-346-6968. Email: office@popwh.org. www.popwh.org/
Sherman Oaks Lutheran Church services: A Fourth Sunday in Advent message at 10 a.m. Christmas Eve services, 7 and 11 p.m. The “Oak Leaves” December newsletter: tinyurl.com/5a455wcm. Location, 14847 Dickens St. 818-789-0215. www.facebook.com/ShermanOaksLutheran. shermanoakslutheran.org
First Presbyterian Church of Granada Hills – Christmas Eve services: Lessons and Carols, 10 a.m. Also, Candlelight and Communion, 5 and 10 p.m. The congregation’s December newsletter: tinyurl.com/mwaa8x3v. Location, 10400 Zelzah Ave., Northridge. 818-360-1831. www.fpcgh.org
God’s Power – Fourth Sunday in Advent: The Rev. Timothy Jenks delivers the message, based on Luke 1:26-38, at 9:30 a.m. Canoga Park Lutheran Church, 7357 Jordan Ave. 818-348-5714. Facebook: bit.ly/41nCcKs. www.cplchurch.org
First Christian Church of North Hollywood (Disciples of Christ) – Christmas Eve: Pastor Tau Tupua delivers the message “Standing on the Shoulders of Our Ancestors,” based on Luke 1:5-13 and 57-63, at the 10 a.m. service. A “Live Nativity” is presented at 5 p.m. The Rev. Jonathan B. Hall, PhD, delivers the message “Can You Hear the Good News?” based on Luke 2:8-18, at the Children and Family service, 5:30 p.m. and at the Candlelight and Communion service, 11 p.m. Location, 4390 Colfax Ave., Studio City. 818-763-8218. www.fccnh.org. Newsletter for the week and upcoming events: tinyurl.com/4fzdcuf4
Knollwood United Methodist Church – Christmas Eve: The Rev. Kalesita ‘Ulu’ave-Tu’ifua delivers the Fourth Sunday in Advent message “Nothing Impossible with God,” based on Luke 1:26-38, at the 10 a.m. service, and as well at the Tongan-language service, where the children present the Nativity story told in Tongan, 1 p.m. Later, with both congregations, is a Christmas Eve Candlelight service, 5 p.m. Location, 12121 Balboa Blvd., Granada Hills. 818-360-8111 or 818-284-3495. knollwoodchurch.wordpress.com/
Northridge United Methodist Church – Christmas Eve: A combined morning service with the English-language and Korean-language congregations, to hear the Fourth Sunday in Advent message “He’s on His Way!” based on Matthew 1:18-25, at 11 a.m. Later: Children and Family service, 5 p.m.; Lessons and Carols, 7 p.m.; Candlelight, 11 p.m. See the details on the December newsletter: tinyurl.com/y3smh3x6. Northridge United Methodist Church, 9650 Reseda Blvd. 818-886-1555. northridgeumc.org
Lessons and Carols at Panorama Presbyterian Church: The Rev. Darren Pollack, PhD, leads the service that includes a handbell performance by the Panorama Presbyterian Church Bronze Trio, 10 a.m. Location, 14201 Roscoe Blvd., Panorama City. 818-894-8316.
Reseda Church of Christ: Hear a Christmas message at the praise and worship service, 10 a.m. The Rev. Dewayne Winrow is the senior pastor. Location, 7806 Reseda Blvd. 818-342-4755. resedachurch.com. www.facebook.com/ResedaChurch
Embodying Christ Consciousness – A Wholeness Prototype: The Rev. Michael McMorrow delivers the message, based on the church’s December spiritual values theme “Living as Wholeness,” at 10:30 a.m. (only one service on this date). Center for Spiritual Living, 17622 Chatsworth St., Granada Hills. 818-363-8136. www.facebook.com/csl.granadahills. Details: tinyurl.com/546kxcyx
The Gifts of Christmas: The Rev. Matthew McHale delivers the message, with Todd Covert, worship associate, 10:30 a.m. Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church, 7304 Jordan Ave., Canoga Park. 818-887-6101. www.emersonuuc.org
Peace – I Am Calm and Peaceful: Jimmy Burns delivers the Christmas Eve message at a candlelight service, 11 a.m. The church’s December theme is based on Philippians 4:7. Unity Burbank – Center for Spiritual Awareness, 637 S. Victory Blvd., Burbank. 818-841-4037. Watch the service on Facebook: www.facebook.com/unityburbank. Details on the church and services in the “Words of Light” December newsletter: tinyurl.com/4fv5vppn
Sylmar Christian Fellowship Church: Pastor Pierre Howard and First Lady-Evangelist Mary Howard lead the worship service, 11 a.m. The church theme for 2023 is “Believe in God,” based on John 14:1. Location, 13901 Polk St. 818-364-8955. Facebook: tinyurl.com/292rauyu. www.sylmarcfc.org
Manifestations of Beauty – Letting Your Light Shine: The Rev. Gordon Clay Bailey delivers the message, 5 p.m. Meet-and-greet, 4:30 p.m. Services are in-person and on Zoom (find the link on the website). The society’s December theme is “Divine Light.” Sepulveda Unitarian Universalist Society, meeting at Center for Spiritual Living, 17622 Chatsworth St., Granada Hills. 818-894-9251. Details: tinyurl.com/2p8zxzhd
Christmas – It’s NOT About Us…It’s ALL About Us: The Rev. Timothy Jenks delivers the Christmas Eve message, 5:30 p.m. Canoga Park Lutheran Church, 7357 Jordan Ave. 818-348-5714. Facebook: bit.ly/41nCcKs. www.cplchurch.org
Bethel Christian Reformed Church – Christmas Eve: The service includes candle lighting, carols and special music, 6 p.m. Location, 10725 Penrose St., Sun Valley. 818-767-4488. bethelsunvalley.com
Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church – Christmas Eve Candlelight service: The Rev. Matthew McHale delivers the message, with Julie Borden, worship associate, 7 p.m. Location, 7304 Jordan Ave., Canoga Park. 818-887-6101. www.emersonuuc.org
North Hollywood First United Methodist Church – Christmas Eve Candlelight service: The Rev. Chamie Delkeskamp delivers the message “Come and See,” based on Luke 2:1-20, at 7 p.m. Location, 4831 Tujunga Ave. 818-763-8231. www.facebook.com/nohofumc1. “Good News” newsletter details: tinyurl.com/4a3tnsbh
Classical Midnight Mass St. Cyril of Jerusalem Catholic Church: Carols and hymns precede the Mass, 11:30 p.m. The Midnight Mass, with choir, soloists and a chamber orchestra, uses music by Johann Ernst Eberlin (Missa Sexti Toni), and also, hymns and music by Mozart, Rutter and Wagner. William Beck is the director of the music program at the church. Location, 15520 Ventura Blvd., Encino. st-cyril.org/
Dec. 28
Full Moon and World Healing Meditation Ceremony – Turning the Corner: The Spiritual Unity Movement holds a gathering with the Rev. Betsy A. Haas and musician-vocalist Cassandra Murillo, 6:55 p.m. Bring percussion instruments if you are able. Donation $20 suggested. Meeting is also online on Zoom: tinyurl.com/3x8kwk49 and use ID: 86727985830 and Passcode: FullMoon. Meeting at Center for Spiritual Living – Granada Hills, 17622 Chatsworth St. 855-786-2642. Email: sumfullmoon@gmail.com. www.spiritualunitymovement.org
Dec. 29
Shabbat at Temple Beth Hillel: 6 p.m. Rabbi Sarah Hronsky is the senior rabbi. Location, 12326 Riverside Drive, Valley Village. 818-763-9148. www.tbhla.org/
Shabbat at Temple Beth Emet: Rabbi Mark H. Sobel leads the service, 7 p.m. Check the “Chai Times” for December: tinyurl.com/3xprukjm. Location, 600 N. Buena Vista St., Burbank. 818-843-4787. www.templebethemet.com
Send information at least two weeks ahead. holly.andres@dailynews.com. 818-713-3708.