By Michael J. ARVIZU

St. Luke’s of the Mountains Episcopal Church will present its second annual Christmas Jam and Community Sing-a-long from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 16.

The free event will feature the voices of the church band, the Tri-M and Belles groups from Crescenta Valley High School, and a few children from the church’s congregation. The groups will be under the direction of St. Luke’s music director Joseph Butler. Religious and non-religious Christmas music will be performed — from “Silent Night” to “Jingle Bells.” Songs in English and Spanish will be performed.

The Christmas Jam and Community Sing-a-long was the idea of St. Luke’s member Charlotte Stratton. Growing up, she remembers going door-to-door singing Christmas carols with the different groups at her church. As she got older, however, Stratton found herself not singing the carols she grew up with as much, at least not with a group of people. By having a sing-a-long, Stratton hopes guests will once again sing the Christmas songs of their youth.

“Because Christmas carols are so universal, everyone knows them,” Stratton said. “A lot of the carols you don’t really have a chance to sing.”

The event is also an effort by the church to reach out to, involve and welcome the surrounding community.

“We make a point here always to invite our friends, neighbors and people in the community,” said The Rev. Bryan Jones, St. Luke’s of the Mountains vicar. “The church is a community center for everybody.

For more information on the sing-a-long and other events at St. Luke’s, call the church office at (818) 248-3639. The church is at 2563 Foothill Blvd. in La Crescenta.

  Michael J ARVIZU