Church Plans Christmas Cantata

Debra Craig-Claar’s “I Have Seen the Light” Christmas cantata will be presented at 10 a.m. Sunday at Presbyterian Church of the Covenant. The Covenant Choir, Youth Choir, soloists and instrumentalists will perform under the direction of Antoinette Brosius. A freewill offering will be taken. The church is at 2850 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa. (714) 557-3340.

South Shores Church will present “Christmas at the Shores--1997” at 6 tonight and Sunday night. Choir, orchestra and solo performances will make up the holiday show. Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for children under 10. The church is at 32712 Crown Valley Parkway, Monarch Beach. (714) 496-9331.

Church of St. Mary Magdalene will have its annual Christmas Tea and Boutique from 2 to 4 p.m. today at the home of Barbara Abouchar in Villa Park. There will be a sing-along, gourmet food and tea. Suggested donation is $15. The Abouchar home is at 18881 Patrician Drive, Villa Park. (714) 449-0542.

A Christmas choral concert will be presented by the Anaheim Mormon Chorale at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The event will include a Children’s Choir performance, a Nativity reenactment and an audience sing-along. The church is at 441 S. Fairmont Blvd., Anaheim Hills. (714) 692-0504.

The Placentia United Methodist Church Chancel Choir will present a “Joy Came Down” Christmas cantata during the 8 and 10 a.m. Sunday worship services. The church is at 2050 Valencia Ave., Placentia. (714) 528-1483.

The fifth annual St. John’s Holiday Concert will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday at St. John’s Episcopal Church and School. The church choirs, as well as the Festival Singers, will be featured. Tickets are $5 for adults and $2.50 for children. The church is at 30382 Via Con Dios, Rancho Santa Margarita. (714) 858-5144.

A concert featuring the Presbyterian Chorale will take place at 5 p.m. Sunday at First Presbyterian Church of Orange. Accompanied by soloists and an orchestra, the chorale will sing Rutter’s “Magnificat” and Poulenc’s “Gloria.” A freewill offering will be taken, and child care will be provided. The church is at 191 N. Orange St., Orange. (714) 538-2341.

An “Advent Interlude” retreat will be offered Monday through Friday at the Center for Spiritual Development. Each day starts at 9:30 a.m. and ends after the prayer service on the following day. Cost, including meals, is $50 per day.

There will be a Las Posadas presentation at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Las Posadas depicts the journey of Mary and Joseph as they searched for a place in Bethlehem. The center is at 434 S. Batavia St., Orange. (714) 744-3175.

The TBE Sisterhood will offer a Hanukkah Brunch and program at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Temple Beth Emet in the Social Hall. Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Garden Grove) will be the guest of honor. There is no cost for Sisterhood members or their spouses, but others will be charged $5. The temple is at 1770 W. Cerritos Ave., Anaheim. (714) 772-4720.

The “Christmas Isn’t the Same Anymore” musical will be presented at 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday at Word of Faith Family Church. Tickets are $5. Regular worship services take place at 8:45 and 10:30 a.m. Sundays. The church is at 19432 Bake Parkway, Foothill Ranch. (714) 581-5070.

A Christmas celebration featuring the music of the Voices of Praise Choir, Yuletide Carolers, Children’s Choir and more will be offered at 6 p.m. Sunday at Zion Christian Center. Admission is free, and child care will be provided. Refreshments will follow. The center is at 710 S. Cambridge St., Orange. (714) 997-8881.

“Ebenezer’s Incredible Christmas Adventure” will be presented at 8 p.m. Friday at Vineyard Christian Fellowship. Additional performances will be offered at 2 and 8 p.m. Dec. 20. Tickets are $9 for adults and $7 for children 12 and younger. Matinee tickets are $7. The church is at 5340 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim. (714) 777-4777.

Don Henderson will present “The C File” at 9:45 a.m. Sunday at Golden Circle Church. The event was created by the Junior Church, Youth Group and Tally and Lauren Land.

The annual Christmas Concert will take place at 4:30 p.m. Artists such as Michael and Goergeen Whitney and Tina Meeks will perform. The church is at 600 Golden Circle Drive, Santa Ana. (714) 541-3365.

Laguna Presbyterian Church will present Vivaldi’s “Gloria” during the 9 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday worship services. The Chancel Choir and String Quartet will be featured. A freewill offering will be taken, and child care will be available. The church is at 415 Forest Ave., Laguna Beach. (714) 494-7555.

A Hymn Fest will be offered at 4 p.m. Sunday at Zion Lutheran Church. The church is at 222 N. East St., Anaheim. (714) 535-3600.

Unity Cabaret will be in concert at 1 p.m. Sunday at Christ Church Unity. The group, from Unity Center of Hollywood, will present original as well as classic songs. Suggested donation is $5.

Regular worship services take place at 10 a.m. Sundays. The church is at 1648 W. Broadway, Anaheim. (714) 774-7660.

The Red Hill Lutheran Church Chancel Choir, under the direction of Vance Wolverton, will present Vivaldi’s “Gloria” during the 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m. Sunday worship services. The church is at 13200 Red Hill Ave., Tustin. (714) 544-3131.

Rabbi Arnold Rachlis and cantor Ruti Braier will lead a Pre-Hanukkah Family Service at 7:30 p.m. Friday at University Synagogue. The menorah will be lighted, dreidels will be spun and songs will be sung. The synagogue is at 4915 Alton Parkway, Irvine. (714) 553-3535.

Rutter’s “Gloria” will be presented at 3 p.m. Sunday at First Presbyterian Church of Westminster. Holiday songs will be featured during the event. The church is at 7702 Westminster Blvd., Westminster. (714) 893-1393.

United Methodist Church of Yorba Linda will present an outdoor Living Nativity scene from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday and Dec. 20 and 21. Junior and Senior High School students, along with live animals, will depict the scene. The church is at 19002 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda. (714) 777-2885.

An event including crafts and the making of door hangings will take place during the 8:45 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday worship services at United Methodist Church of Laguna Hills. The event is part of the three-phase Advent Celebration. The church is at 24442 Moulton Parkway, Laguna Hills. (714) 837-3414.

Italian sculptor Emanuele Fontinini will join the Rev. Robert H. Schuller for his “Oh Come All Ye Faithful . . . “ worship service at 9:30 and 11 a.m. Sunday at the Crystal Cathedral. Fontinini is known for his realistic Nativity sculptures. The Hour of Power Children Choir will perform, as well as vocalist Dennis McNeil. The church is at 12141 Lewis St., Garden Grove. (714) 971-4000.

The Rev. Leslie Heyboer will lead a Hanukkah discussion during the 10:30 a.m. Sunday morning service at Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church. Child care and youth religious education will be available.

A choir concert, under the direction of Kendra Wohlert, will take place at 3 p.m. The church is at 1259 Victoria St., Costa Mesa. (714) 646-4652.

The Rev. Jon Dobrer will discuss “Beating the Holiday Blues” at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Fullerton. Religious education for children and youths will be provided. The church meets at Temple Beth Tikvah, 1600 N. Acacia Ave., Fullerton. (714) 871-7150.

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