By Donna Furey | LB Indy
On Christmas Eve at Laguna Beach United Methodist Church, 21632 Wesley Dr., operatic tenor Peter Nathan Foltz will perform a solo during the 7:30 p.m. service.
Foltz, a resident artist with the Los Angeles and Pittsburgh operas, will be accompanied by five musicians, the Chancel Choir and hand bell choir during the service. Tenor Neal Paton, a member of the choir, also will solo and add to the musical service.
At 11 p.m. a communion service will be offered featuring the church’s contemporary singing group, Joyful Noise. Candles and traditional carols will add to the quiet solemnity of the hour before Christmas arrives.
On the last Sunday of Advent, Dec. 21, Rev. Mandy Flemming’s sermon at 10 a.m., will focus on Mary, Jesus’ mother. Christmas music will be presented as well. Later that day, at 5 p.m., “The Longest Night” service will provide hope and healing for those in need.
At Little Church by the Sea, 468 Legion St., Christmas Eve services will take place at 5 and 7 p.m.
Christmas Eve candlelight services at Laguna Presbyterian Church, 415 Forest Ave., will be at 2, 4, 7 and 9 p.m. and a New Year’s Eve worship service with communion will be held from 5-6 p.m.
Neighborhood Congregational Church, 340 St. Ann’s Dr., welcomes college student Karina Parker on Sunday, Dec. 21. Parker will offer solos during the 10 a.m. worship service followed by a holiday concert at 11:30 in the church sanctuary with familiar favorites and some classic German and Italian Christmas arias. Following the concert, Parker and her accompanists Pam Wicks and Mary Scifres will welcome requests for favorite holiday carols. Bring music if you have an unusual request!
On Christmas Eve at NCC an evening of reflection, song and poetry takes place at 7 p.m. featuring Jason Feddy, John Gardiner, Carrie Pohlhammer and Reverend B. J. Beu in “Let Yearning Be Our Journey,” a non-traditional festival of lessons and carols.
Feddy will bring original as well as familiar tunes, and Gardiner and Pohlhammer will bring scripture, drama, and poetry to the evening. Special guest Nick “I” Hernandez will join with NCC musicians, including pianist Wicks, vocalists Scifres, Katie and Emily Baker, and the NCC Bell Choir led by Jennifer Baker, to bring the Christmas story to life. Violinist Doug Miller also takes part. Traditional Christmas carols and candlelight round off the service.
Extra parking is available in the nearby Ralphs lot. Info: http://www.ncclaguna.org or call 949-494-8061 for more information.
Christmas Eve masses will take place at St. Catherine of Sienna, 1042 Temple Terrace, at 4:30, 5, 6:30, 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. Three Christmas Day masses take place at 7:30, 9 and 11 a.m.
At the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 429 Cypress Dr., carol, stories, music and a candlelight, family friendly service begins at 4 p.m. Christmas Eve.
A Christmas Eve pageant will be held at St. Mary’s Episcopalian Church, 428 Park Ave., from 4-5 p.m. and from 10:30-11:30 p.m. there will be a Christmas Eve service. A Christmas day service will be held from 10:30-11:30 a.m.
