LCIF Welcomes Community

Lutheran Church in the Foothills invites the community to attend its Holy Week services beginning with Palm Sunday on April 13. LCIF encourages attendees to gather in the church courtyard for the traditional Procession of Palms at 9:45 a.m. By carrying and waving palm branches, participants mirror the actions of the crowds who greeted Jesus as a king as he entered Jerusalem the week before his crucifixion.

The Holy Week observances will continue with a Maundy Thursday service on April 17 at 7 p.m. Maundy Thursday commemorates Jesus’ final celebration of Passover, or the Last Supper, with his disciples. 

LCIF will hold Good Friday worship at 7 p.m. on April 18 to commemorate the crucifixion and death of Jesus. The week will culminate with the celebration of Easter on Sunday, April 20, marking the resurrection of Jesus and the triumph of life over death. 

Families are encouraged to arrive early as the church will be hosting a special breakfast at 9 a.m., followed by an Easter egg hunt and petting zoo for children.

The church also reminds the community of its ongoing food drive to help families in need. Non-perishable goods can be dropped off during worship services or anytime during the week at the church office.

Visit lcifoothills.org for event details. For more information 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 Friday.

Easter Fun at Church of Scientology

A Saturday morning of free Easter fun is happening on Saturday, April 19 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fun includes real live bunnies to pet, crafts, Easter egg hunt, refreshments and photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny (wear your Easter best!). The Church of Scientology Mission of the Foothills is located at 2254 Honolulu Ave. in Montrose. 

There is no charge and all are welcome! Please phone (818) 957-1500 or email events@scientology-montrose.org to let them know you are coming.

Cardona at UUCVH

Unitarian Universalist Church of the Verdugo Hills (UUCVH) welcomes writer and musician Cesar Cardona on April 13 at 10:30 a.m. His sermon – Change is Closer Than You Think – will explore the power of change, both unwanted and unexpected. Raised between two homes, two belief systems and two contrasting identities, Cardona’s childhood was marked by instability. Yet through these experiences, he discovered something lasting: the unexpected wisdom in surrendering to change. Attend in-person at 4451 Dunsmore Ave. in La Crescenta or visit the UUCVH website for the Zoom link https://www.uuverdugo.org/. 

Family Easter Celebration at La Crescenta Presbyterian

La Crescenta Presbyterian Church has a full calendar of family-friendly activities and worship services to celebrate Easter, all open to the community:

Easter Eggstravaganza: On Saturday, April 12 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, bring the entire family to a free event featuring Easter crafts, basket decorating, festive games and an egg hunt.

Maundy Thursday: On Thursday, April 17, a simple meal of soup, bread and oranges will be served at 5:30 p.m. followed by a worship service including communion at 7 p.m.

Good Friday: On Friday, April 18, a worship service beginning at 7 p.m. will be followed by the rolling of a giant boulder in front of the church, signifying the sealing of the tomb after Jesus’ death on the cross.

Easter Sunday: On Sunday, April 20, LCPC will offer two opportunities to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ: a contemporary worship service at 9 a.m. and a classic worship service at 11 a.m. Children’s programming will be offered at both services.

All Easter events and services will take place on the La Crescenta Presbyterian campus at 2902 Montrose Ave. in La Crescenta. For more information, visit lcpc.net or call (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. They are currently in the Book of Second Corinthians. Also, a weekly Bible study is held at the church on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. 

Mt. Olive also 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.

Bethel Church Provides Holy Week Services 

Bethel Church (bethelsunvalley.com) is offering the following events during Holy Week: Palm Sunday April 13: Worship at 10 a.m., Good Friday April 18: Communion service at 8 p.m., Easter April 20: Free fellowship breakfast at 8:45 a.m., celebration worship at 10 a.m. followed by a free egg hunt for kids at 11:30 a.m. with the Easter story, prizes, crafts and snacks. (Traducción en Español disponible). Child-care and children’s church are provided during the Palm Sunday and Easter services. Free transportation can be provided on request. All in the community are welcome.

Bethel Church is located at 10725 Penrose St. in Sun Valley.

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 April 13, 20 & 27. 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.