On Sunday, Dec. 14, Assembly of God’s Christmas sermon series will center on what Jesus brought when he came to earth. The title for this message is “Jesus Came to Bring Hope,” based on the Luke 2:21-35 passage. Hope is what carries the human spirit through the darkest of times. When present circumstances, either personal or in society at large, seem grim, hope is the light that draws one

Join Community Church today, Dec. 11, at 10 a.m. for a time of fellowship and prayer that the congregation calls “Blue Christmas.” Elvis may not make an appearance, but the love of God certainly will. Community Church continues its study of the season of Advent and Matthew’s gospel on Sunday, Dec. 14, by thinking about what is heard and seen. Pastor Johan Dodge invites residents to try listening

LW Baptist Church will celebrate the conception and birth of Jesus Christ on Sunday, Dec. 14, in Clubhouse 4 at 10 a.m. Mary was amazed to hear Gabriel’s message from God: “You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s

Holy Family Catholic Church holds daily Masses Monday-Saturday at 8:30 a.m., Saturdays at 4 p.m. (vigil) and Sundays at 8 a.m.; 10 a.m. and noon, located next to St. Andrews Gate. The church will celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe on Friday, Dec. 12, at 8:30 a.m. Mass will be held with folkloric music, and hot chocolate and pan dulce will be served afterward. On Wednesday, Dec. 24, people are

Meetings for the Atherton Ward are held at 6500 E. Atherton St., Long Beach. Sacrament service is held every Sunday at 10:30 a.m., followed in the second hour by Sunday school on the first and third Sundays. The Relief Society and Elders Quorum meetings are held on the second and fourth Sundays. Primary classes for children are held every Sunday during the second hour. Members who are unable to attend

On Sunday, Dec. 7, LW Baptist Church will gather in Clubhouse 4 at 10 a.m. to celebrate the incarnation—God becoming man. Christmas is about the birth of Jesus Christ. Jesus’ birth record traces through the periods of Israel’s history and back to the Edenic promise. His ancestors are named in the theocracy (God’s rule), the monarchy (Davidic kings), the royal-decline (Israel abiding many days

Congregation Sholom will hold services via Zoom with Rabbi Mike Mymon on Friday, Dec. 5, at 6:30 p.m. Rabbi Mymon will also lead the hybrid service on Saturday, Dec. 6, in Clubhouse 3, Room 9, and on Zoom at 10 a.m. Saturday’s Torah reading will be Vayishlach from the book of Genesis. Vayishlach (He Sent) follows Jacob as he wrestles with a man (commonly understood to be an angel), is renamed Israel,

On Sunday, Dec. 7, the congregations of Redeemer Lutheran Church and St. Theodore of Canterbury Episcopal Church will celebrate the second Sunday of Advent. Rev Murray Finck will preside over the holy Communion service gathering at 13564 St. Andrews Drive at 10:30 a.m. Carol Costello will be this month’s reader, and Rhoda Finck will be the prayer leader. People can stay after service for fellowship

In Romans 9, the apostle Paul focuses on God’s sovereignty and how he had elected the Israelites as a special treasure unto himself. Moses and Pharaoh are examples of God’s sovereign election to show his divine power over all his creation when he stated, “that I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.” In Romans 9:22-33,

Christmas is just around the corner, which can be a difficult time for those who are going through it alone. Those who are looking to belong in a progressive and welcoming place can join Community Church’s on Thursday, Dec. 11, for a time of fellowship and prayer called “Blue Christmas.” Elvis may not make an appearance, but the love of God certainly will. No prior church experience is required.