Local Churches Launching Their Christmas Program Season

Orange County churches will get into the Christmas spirit in a big way beginning this week, with concerts, special services and other events planned to mark the 1,999th anniversary of Christ’s birth.

Upcoming events include:

* The Chancel Choir, congregation, readers and instrumentalists at Morningside Presbyterian Church will present the annual Lessons and Carols service at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. This Christmas event will feature presentations from the Believers Sunday school class and the Morningside Youth Leadership. The church is at 1201 E. Dorothy Lane, Fullerton. (714) 871-7072.

* The California Lutheran University Choir will present a Christmas concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Newport Harbor Lutheran Church. Tickets are $7. The church is at 798 Dover Drive, Newport Beach. (949) 548-3631.

* Guest minister Phil Quirk will speak on “The True Story About Jesus, Mary and Joseph” at a Celebration of Life service at 9:45 a.m. Sunday at Golden Circle Church. There will be a Sacred Service of Ordination for Rev. Rebeka Pina at 4 p.m. The church is at 600 Golden Circle Drive, Santa Ana. (714) 541-3365.

* More than 200 musicians will present the 13th annual Community Christmas Concert at 7:30 p.m. this evening and 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday at San Clemente Presbyterian Church. Child care is available with reservations. A freewill offering will be taken. The church is at 119 Avenida de la Estrella. (949) 492-6758.

* Mount of Olives Lutheran Church will present the concert “100 Years of Christmas” featuring the church choir and orchestra at 7:30 p.m. this evening and at 7 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $5 for adults, $2 for teens and children (under 2 are free). The church is at 24772 Chrisanta Drive, Mission Viejo. (949) 837-7467.

* The second Advent gathering and supper, sponsored by the Evangelism Committee of St. Matthew’s Anglican Catholic Church, will take place at 6:30 p.m. Friday. The event will begin with Evensong, followed by dinner at 7 p.m. Child care will be provided. The church is at 1723 Westcliff Drive, Newport Beach. (949) 646-1152.

* Emanual Lutheran Church will present its “Sing for Joy” Christmas concert at 7 p.m. Sunday. Performers include the Chancel Choir, the Handbells, the Cantate Choir, Kids for Christ Choir, the C-5 Tone Chime and the Girls Ensemble. The church is at 150 N. Palm St., La Habra. (562) 691-5539.

* Contemporary Christian singer Kathy Troccoli will perform Christmas songs during services at 9:30 and 11 a.m. Sunday at the Crystal Cathedral. The Cathedral Choir and Hour of Power Orchestra will also perform. The Rev. Robert Schuller will conclude services with his “Peace Be Still” series. The church is at 12141 Lewis St., Garden Grove. (714) 971-4000.

* The sixth annual St. John’s Episcopal Church and School Holiday Concert, featuring the Festival Singers and church choirs, will take place at 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $5. The church is at 30382 Via con Dios, Rancho Santa Margarita. (949) 858-5144.

* The Presbyterian Church of the Covenant Choir, accompanied by a 12-piece instrumental ensemble, will perform “A Canticle of Christmas” at 9 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Narration focusing on Messianic prophesies and their fulfillment will be part of the performance. The church is at 2850 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa. (714) 557-3340.

* The Center for Spiritual Development will present “Arise! Come! I Am With You: An Evening of Advent Spirituality” from 7:30 to 9 p.m. this evening. The concert will feature the Rosary High School Handbell and Vocal Choirs, among others. Tickets are $15. The center is at 434 S. Batavia St., Orange. (714) 744-3175.

* The Hosana Singers and Players of Evangelical Free Church of Huntington Beach will present “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” at 9 and 11 a.m. Sunday and Dec. 19. The musical is about family and hope set in the early days of radio. The church is at 1912 Florida St., Huntington Beach. (714) 536-1439.

* South Shores Church will present a Christmas concert at 6 p.m. this evening at 5 and 7 p.m. Sunday. Performers include a 70-member choir, full orchestra and Handbell Ensemble. Gale Storm will be the special guest narrator. Tickets are $10. The church is at 32712 Crown Valley Parkway, Monarch Beach. (949) 496-9331.

* Tustin Presbyterian Church will present Afternoon Advent and Las Posadas from 2 to 7 p.m. Sunday. The event will feature arts, crafts, dinner and the procession of Las Posadas. There will be a fee ($10 family maximum) for art materials and dinner. The church is at 225 W. Main St., Tustin. (714) 544-7070.

* The Rev. Peggy Price will give the holiday message “The Expectant Heart” at 10 a.m. Sunday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The annual Holiday concert featuring Debi Wheeler-Ure will take place at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. The church is at 5402 Heil Ave., Huntington Beach. (714) 841-7137.

* The Rev. Alan Landes will give the Advent message “Singing Joyful Songs of Hope” at 8:45 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Trinity United Presbyterian Church. High school students from Laurel House, a Christian residence in Santa Ana, will speak about their experiences at the home. The church is at 13922 Prospect Ave., Santa Ana. (714) 544-7850.

* The music department of the United Methodist Church of Garden Grove will host its annual Christmas Dinner and Concert at 6 p.m. this evening. At 8 p.m. “A French Christmas, Told in Scripture and Song” will be heard in the sanctuary. Tickets are $10 ($5 for children 12 and under). The church is at 12741 Main St., Garden Grove. (714) 534-1070.

* The Music Ministry of Mesa Verde United Methodist Church will present a Christmas concert at 7 p.m. Sunday. Performers will include the Chancel Choir, organist Youngmi Kim, a brass instrument group, the Chamber Choir and the Sanctuary Bells.

* The Children’s Choirs and Chancel Choir of Geneva Presbyterian Church of Laguna Hills will present a Christmas concert at 4 p.m. Sunday with a reception following. A freewill offering will be taken. The church is at 24301 El Toro Road, Laguna Hills. (949) 837-2323.

Events

* “The Winning Life” and introduction to Buddhism will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m. Dec. 19 at Soka Gakki International USA. The center is at 1500 E. Warner, Santa Ana. (714) 444-9580.

* Unitarian Universalist Church of South County will present “A Question and Answer Sermon With Carol and Suzanne!” at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Questions can be submitted early or during the service. The church will also celebrate “Bring an Ornament” Sunday. The church is at 25801 Obrero Drive, No. 7, Mission Viejo. (949) 581-0245.

* The Rev. Margaret Mohit will speak on “Facing the Future Without Fear” at 9 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Unity Community Church. Sunday school and nursery care will be provided. The church is at 22911 Mill Creek Road, Laguna Hills. (949) 472-9230.

* The Rev. Stoyanoff will describe her experiences at the third Parliament of the World Religions, held recently in Capetown, South Africa, during a service at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church. Children’s classes and nursery care will be provided. The church is at 1259 Victoria St., Costa Mesa. (949) 646-4652.

* Professor Nate Feldmeth of Fuller Seminary will discuss “In the Fullness of Time” from 9 to 10 a.m. Sunday at Trinity United Presbyterian Church. The talk will consider the first coming of the Messiah into human history. The church is at 13922 Prospect Ave., Santa Ana. (714) 544-7850.