UMC Sings Praise of Christmas
United Methodist Church, 21632 Wesley Drive, invites the community to an assembly of Christmas Eve services: at 5 p.m., a 45-minute family worship service especially offered for children and their families; and 7 p.m., a musical worship service featuring chancel choir, hand bells, organ and piano music will be held. Childcare for the service will be provided. Communion will be offered at the 11 p.m. candlelight service along with joyful Christmas music. On Christmas day, the 10 a.m. worship service will feature, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.”
Narrating Songs and Poems of Christmas
Celebrating song and poetry, the Neighborhood Congregational Church of Laguna Beach, 340 Saint Ann’s Drive, will include a variety of artists at their 7 p.m. Christmas Eve candlelight service on Dec. 24.
The service will include singers Jason Feddy, Nick Hernandez, and Mary Scifres, accompanied by Pam Wicks on piano along with poet John Gardiner. Rev B.J. Beu’s sermon will include stories of peace, violence, darkness and light outlining Jesus’ birth as seen through the eyes of Joseph. Traditional Christmas carols, along with candlelight and “Silent Night” will culminate the special service.
Prior to worship this year, the church’s labyrinth will be open across the courtyard in Bridge Hall. Between 5 and 7 p.m. on Dec. 24, the community is invited to walk the labyrinth‘s ancient circles for meditation and reflection. Call 949-494-8061 for more information.
A Journey to Bethlehem
The community is welcomed to Laguna Presbyterian Church, 415 Forest Avenue, on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day for special services. At 2 and 4 p.m. on Dec. 24, children will hear a Christmas story and in Tankersely Hall experience Bethlehem village, where they can make cookies and jewelry and learn about what life 2,000 years ago. At both the 2 and 4 p.m. services, the chancel bells will perform, while at the 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. services the chancel choir will perform. Soloists and instrumental music will be featured at the 9 p.m. service. Childcare will not be provided for either of the evening services.
On Christmas Day, Sunday Dec. 25, the 10 a.m. service will feature a sermon by senior pastor Jerry Tankersley, called “The Gift.”
Saint Mary’s Rings in Christmas
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 428 Park Avenue, will be holding two special services on Christmas Eve and Christmas day at 10:30 a.m.
For the 4 p.m. Christmas Eve service, a children’s pageant will be performed for churchgoers as well as valet parking, while at 10:30 p.m. a traditional Christmas Eve service will be held.
Celebrate Community with Unitarian Universalist
The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Laguna Beach, 429 Cypress Drive, will be hosting a special Christmas Eve service on Dec. 24 at 5 p.m. called “Sharing the Light” in which reverend Kent Doss will share the hope of community during a candlelight service with traditional Christmas carols.
In place of regularly scheduled worship, on Sunday, Dec. 25 from 10 to 11:30 a.m., Barbara and Jim Pemberton will host a Christmas coffee hour at the Fellowship with Christmas goodies and a social hour.
Chanukah Lights up Main Beach
The Chabad Jewish Center is sponsoring a Chanukah party at Main Beach’s cobblestone area at 2 p.m. with live Israeli music, dancing and a variety show by street performer Rusty D. Children will be able to make crafts, get their face painted, decorate dreidle cookies and eat hot latkes. A sixth “candle” will be lit on the surfboard menorah. Go to www.chabahoflaguna.com or call 949-499-0770 for more information on the event.
Other services:
St. Catherine of Sienna Catholic Church, 1042 Temple Terrace, holds mass on Christmas Eve at 4 and 6 and at 8 in Spanish and again at midnight at the Church.
