LCIF News

A Christmastime tradition comes to Lutheran Church in the Foothills this Sunday, Dec. 18. All are invited to decorate gingerbread houses beginning at 8:30 a.m. in the church’s Fellowship Hall. Gingerbread kits will be supplied.    People of all ages are welcome. 

Sunday worship service with Pastor Chuck Bunnell begins in person at 10 a.m. A livestream is provided on the church’s YouTube channel. Children’s church is offered every Sunday for young children, and confirmation class is available after worship service beginning at 11:15 a.m. for students in grades six-12. 

LCIF’s Christmas Eve candlelight service will begin at 7 p.m. on Dec. 24. Christmas Day worship will be held at 10 a.m. All are welcome.

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.

Christmas Drive-Thru Gift Distribution 

On Saturday, Dec. 17, Bethel Church will host a free drive-thru gift giveaway for the community from 6-8 p.m. at the church. Besides gifts for children and adults, there will be Christmas music, a lit nativity shed, an outdoor Christmas tree and free refreshments. COVID-safe. Visitors are asked to stay in their car and receive Bethel Church’s Christmas blessing. 

Bethel Church, 10725 Penrose St., Sun Valley bethelsunvalley.com

Christmas at La Crescenta Presbyterian

The community is invited to drop off letters to Santa Claus at La Crescenta Presbyterian Church. Letters delivered by Dec. 19 to the red mailbox in front of the church will receive a reply from Santa through his team of LCPC volunteers. Be sure to include a return address. Addresses will not be used for any purpose other than a mailed reply from Santa.

La Crescenta Presbyterian Church is hosting a Christmas concert featuring some of the Southland’s finest professional musicians and LCPC’s Cathedral Choir. Christmas carols and the music of Johann Sebastian Bach will be part of the celebration on Friday, Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m. in the church sanctuary. A dessert reception will follow the concert, which is free to the community; a free-will offering will be collected.

Two Christmas Eve services are being held: Saturday, Dec. 24 will feature music, prayer and an uplifting message along with live Nativity animals in front of the church. At 5 p.m., the LCP praise band The Blessed will lead worship. At 7 p.m., a candlelight service will feature music from the Cathedral Choir.

On Sunday, Dec. 25 at 10 a.m., a simple celebratory Christmas service will focus on the promise of Jesus’ birth. Pajamas are more than welcome at this brief service in the LCPC Chapel.

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

Walk and Word

In December, 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.

Christmas Celebration 

Bethel Church in Sun Valley is offering a special Christmas worship service on Sunday, Dec. 18 at 10 a.m. that includes special music and a drama called “Open Up Your Heart.” Gifts will be offered for both kids and adults. (Traducción en español disponible.) Child-care and children’s church are provided during all Sunday a.m. services. Free transportation provided on request. All in the community are welcome.

Bethel Church, 10725 Penrose St., Sun Valley bethelsunvalley.com