LCIF News

The annual Blessing of the Animals will take place Oct. 23 during the 10 a.m. worship service with Pastor Chuck Bunnell at Lutheran Church in the Foothills. Well-behaved pets are welcome in the pews. Alternatively, pets can receive a blessing outside after the service. The tradition is timed to commemorate St. Francis of Assisi, who died in October 1226. St. Francis was the founder of the Franciscan Order. He cared for the poor and the sick and expressed his love for all of God’s creation. All are welcome to attend this Sunday’s event, which will include a petting zoo on the front lawn and a potluck lunch. Anyone interested in contributing a dish should contact the church’s office.

LCIF reminds families that children’s church is available every Sunday. Families should meet in the sanctuary at 10 a.m. After a special blessing and message for the children, the kids head off to the Youth Room for games and study. They return in time for Holy Communion.

Pastor Bunnell also reminds the community that he is available to consult with anyone interested in baptism, confirmation or membership. He is also available for visitation. Anyone with a loved one wanting a pastoral visit at their home or in the hospital should contact the church.

Visit lcifoothills.org for event details, including small group gatherings and opportunities to serve. 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.

New Class Offered to Discover Family History

The Church of Latter-day Saints is offering a free family history course on Thursday nights from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. that continues through Nov. 10. It is open to the community at no cost. Participants will learn how to get started in finding their ancestors, how to use the free tools available, how to build a family tree, how to connect with living relatives and how to make a video history of their older living relatives.  

Classes are held at The Church of Latter-day Saints, 4550 Raymond Ave. in La Crescenta.

Lift Up La Crescenta Prepares for Fast

Lift Up La Crescenta is issuing a call to fast – whether from food, the Internet, the phone or social media – from Thursday, Oct. 27 at 6 p.m. until Saturday, Oct. 29 at 5 p.m. There will be a kick-off at St. Luke’s Anglican Church, 2563 Foothill Blvd. in La Crescenta for one hour on Thursday, Oct. 27 at 5 p.m. The goal of the fast is to help members focus on things spiritual and spend time with prayer or reading Scripture or doing service during that time. It could be for one hour, a morning or evening or all day depending on what is being fasted from.

Scripture reference: Acts 3:19.

Plans are to break the fast at 5 p.m. on Saturday at Deukmejian Park, 3429 Markridge Road in La Crescenta, where participants can possibly share a potluck dinner – if enough people volunteer to bring meals to share. If not, there will be a time of prayer; firm plans will be decided later.

Please email liftuplacrescenta@gmail.com so organizers can get some idea of how many will be participating.

Walk and Word

In October, 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 Oct. 23 & 30. 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.