Interfaith Service a Highlight of Thanksgiving Events

Churches around Orange County are planning special services, dinners and other events to mark Thanksgiving.

Though not explicitly a religious occasion, the uniquely American holiday provides an opportunity for congregations of various faiths--from Protestant to Roman Catholic to Jewish--to give thanks and help the needy.

Among the celebrations will be the 42nd annual Joint Thanksgiving Eve service at the Anaheim United Methodist Church at 8 p.m. Wednesday.

The interfaith service, shared by the Methodist congregation with Temple Beth Emet of Anaheim and Emanuel Pentecostal Romanian Church of God, grew out of a decision by Anaheim United Methodist and Beth Emet to share a facility more than four decades ago.

Rabbi Mordecai Kieffer and the Rev. Robert Shepard will speak, as will the Rev. Lazar Gog of the Romanian Church. A fellowship refreshment hour will follow. The church is at 1000 S. State College Blvd., Anaheim. (714) 772-4720.

Also hosting an interfaith service will be Rabbi Arnold Rachlis of University Synagogue and the Rev. Fred Plumer of Irvine United Church of Christ. The two will lead their combined congregations in their annual Interfaith Pre-Thanksgiving Service at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Services will feature a talk by Francisco Ayala, professor of biological sciences and philosophy at UC Irvine. A former Roman Catholic priest, Ayala is a former president of the American Assn. for the Advancement of Science and a member of the President’s Committee of Advisors on Science and Technology. (949) 553-3535.

Following are some other events planned around the county:

* Congregations and spiritual leaders associated with the La Mirada Clergy Assn. will celebrate the annual Community Thanksgiving service at 7 p.m. Sunday at the United Methodist Church of La Mirada. The Rev. Charles Svendson of the Community Presbyterian Church of La Mirada will speak on “Harvesting Sojourners, Orphans and Widows.” . The church is at 15700 Rosecrans Ave., La Mirada. (714) 521-6765.

* The faith communities of Trinity Episcopal Church, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and St. Matthew Old Catholic Church will host an ecumenical celebration of Thanksgiving at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Trinity Episcopal Church. Holy Communion will be celebrated. The church is at 2400 N. Canal St., Orange. (714) 639-9390.

* Placentia United Methodist Church will celebrate Thanksgiving with a light supper and sermon on “The Tenth Man” at 6 p.m. Wednesday. The Children’s, Youth and Chancel Choirs will perform. The church is at 2050 N. Valencia Ave., Placentia. (714) 528-1483.

* The Rev. Ginny Wheeler will lead Thanksgiving services at 8:30 and 10 a.m. Sunday at Laguna Beach United Methodist Church. Homemade pumpkin pie and cider will be served. Child care and elementary school will be offered. The church is at 21632 S. Wesley Drive, Laguna Beach. (949) 499-3088.

* Trinity Lutheran Church will collect canned and dry goods for the needy during a Thanksgiving worship service at 9 a.m. Thursday. The church is at 902 S. Broadway, Santa Ana. (714) 997-7867.

* Hebrew Academy students in kindergarten through grade 12 will donate Thanksgiving baskets to Jewish Family Services as part of their Thanksgiving outreach program. Students and their families make food and cash donations to create the holiday baskets. The baskets will go to needy families in the community. The academy is at 14401 Willow Lane, Huntington Beach. (714) 898-0051.

* The Catholic Worker will be serving feasts for the homeless on Wednesday and Friday at 10:30 a.m. at 316 Cypress Ave. in Santa Ana. Volunteers, along with donations of food, clothing and blankets, are welcome. Information: (714) 558-7478 or (714) 835-6304.

* The Rev. Tari Lennon will speak on “The Christ and Thanksgiving” at 10 a.m. Sunday at Neighborhood Congregational Church. The annual Harvest Dinner will follow. Participants should bring a dish to complement the turkey provided by the church. The church is at 340 St. Ann’s Drive, Laguna Beach. (949) 494-8061.

* The Rev. Alan Landes will lead a “Thank God!” Thanksgiving service at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Trinity United Presbyterian Church. The High School Chapel choir and Chapel Bells will perform. Care for children up to age 5 will be provided with reservations. The church is at 13922 Prospect Ave., Santa Ana. (714) 544-7850.

* Fairview Community Church will celebrate its Friendship Sunday at 10 a.m. Sunday. Later, the church will host a Thanksgiving feast as part of its yearlong 50th-anniversary jubilee. Those interested in participating in the feast should call to sign up for a dish to bring. The church is at 2525 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa. (714) 545-6416.

* The Seal Beach Church of Religious Science will offer a Thanksgiving service at 7 p.m. Wednesday. The Rev. Ron Fox, assistant minister, will be in the pulpit, accompanied by vocalist Su-Z Ogden and pianist Andy Howe. The church is at 500 Marina Drive, Seal Beach. (562) 598-3325.

* An Intergenerational Thanksgiving Communion Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the Unitarian Universalist Church of South County. There will be homemade bread and apple cider. An early-bird discussion will be held at 9:30 a.m. The church is at 25801 Obrero Drive, #7, Mission Viejo. (949) 581-0245.

* The Crystal Cathedral will offer its “Thanks Be to God” Thanksgiving Day service at 10 a.m. Cathedral pastors and musicians, including soloists Larry Kimpel and Patrick Doss, will participate. The Cathedral Children’s Choir will also perform. The Rev. Robert H. Schuller will conclude with a Thanksgiving message for families. The church is at 12141 Lewis St., Garden Grove. (714) 971-4000.

* Thanksgiving Eve worship service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Christ Lutheran Church. The church is at 35522 Camino Capistrano, San Clemente. (949) 496-2621.

* The Huntington Beach Church of Religious Science will have a Thanksgiving Eve service at 7 p.m. Wednesday. The church is at 7641 Talbert Ave., Huntington Beach. (714) 596-0900.