Christmas celebration and worship dominate the local...

Christmas celebration and worship dominate the local religious scene this week. Below are some of the events Southlanders will be attending.

PERFORMANCE

* “The Christmas Story (Like It’s Never Been Told),” a musical written by Peter Roberts and directed by Andre David Brooks, will be presented at the Embassy Theatre today at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets are available at the box office, 851 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, or through the Word of Life Christian Bookstore. For ticket information, phone the store at (213) 758-2733.

* “Emmanuel,” a new musical by Tom Fenholt, will be presented at five churches: Lakewood Victory Outreach Church in Hawaiian Gardens, Crown of Glory Church in La Habra, Gateway Christian Fellowship in Harbor City, Faith Bible Church in North Hollywood and Victory Outreach Church in South-Central Los Angeles. There is no admission charge. Donations will be accepted. For a schedule, phone (310) 423-4626.

* Vivaldi’s “Gloria” will be presented at 10:30 a.m. Sunday by the Cathedral Choir and Chamber Orchestra of the First United Methodist Church of Glendale and organist Ladd Thomas, directed by Lynn Bielefelt. Admission is free. The church is at the corner of Broadway and Kenwood Street in downtown Glendale. Call (818) 243-2105.

* Handel’s “Messiah” will be presented at 3 p.m. Sunday by Oneonta Congregational Church’s singers and orchestra under the direction of Lawrence R. Warden. Suggested donation is $8. 1515 Garfield Ave., South Pasadena. (818) 445-4192.

* “Messiah” will also be presented at 6 p.m. Sunday at the Crystal Cathedral’s Arboretum under the direction of Janice Wyma. Donations accepted. Nursery care provided. 12141 Lewis St., Garden Grove. (714) 971-4000.

* The UCLA Campus Chorus will sing Part I of “Messiah” at 4 p.m. Sunday, with James Sterrett-Gryant as baritone soloist and Stephanie Henry, conductor. At United Methodist Church of Westchester, 8065 Emerson Ave., Los Angeles. Suggested donation is $10. (310) 670-3777.

* Part I of “Messiah” also will be sung at 10:30 p.m. Friday by Immanuel Presbyterian Church’s Cathedral Choir, soloists and the Los Angeles Baroque Orchestra conducted by Edward Murray. $7. 3300 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (213) 389-3191.

ADVENT

* Seasonal music by L.A. Singers United and children’s choirs will highlight the 11 a.m. worship service Sunday at Immanuel Presbyterian Church. A Christmas luncheon and caroling will follow. At 1 p.m., Joe R. Hicks, executive director of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Greater Los Angeles, will lead a forum on “Civil Rights, 1963-1993: How Far Have We Come?” At 2 p.m., soloists of the Cathedral Choir will present “Carols From Everywhere.” Luncheon admission is $4 for adults, $2 for children. 3300 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (213) 389-3191.

* Trilingual worship services in English, Japanese and Korean will be offered at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Christ Presbyterian Church of Hollywood. The Sunday school children will present their annual Christmas program during the first half-hour of the service. 4011 Clinton St., Los Angeles. (213) 665-3581.

* The Santa Clarita Valley Concert Band will perform at a free, old-fashioned Christmas sing-along at 5 p.m. Sunday. Wassail will be served after the concert. Panorama Presbyterian Church, 14201 Roscoe Blvd., Panorama City. Reservations advised. (818) 894-8316.

CHRISTMAS EVE

* Evening candlelight carol services will be offered at 7:30, 9:30 and 11:30 p.m. at the Wayfarers Chapel in Rancho Palos Verdes. A procession, manger tableau, trumpet and organ music and the Christmas story will be featured. The church, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, is an ecumenical ministry of the Swedenborgian Church and welcomes people from all religious affiliations. 5755 Palos Verdes Drive South (310) 377-1650.

* Bars and restaurants along Santa Monica Boulevard will be visited by the pastor and members of Crescent Heights United Methodist Church in West Hollywood. It is the fifth year the church membership will reach out to those who do not belong to a church or are without family. All will be invited to a traditional service of worship, carols, the Christmas story and candles beginning at 11:59 p.m. 1296 N. Fairfax Ave., West Hollywood. (213) 656-5336.

* The Congregational Church of the Chimes in Sherman Oaks will present special services at 7 and 11 p.m. The later service features a Christmas music program. 14115 Magnolia Blvd. (818) 789-7124.

* Palisades Lutheran Church will hold candlelight and carol worship services at 4:30 and 11 p.m. 15905 Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades. (310) 459-2358.

CHARITY

* Feed the Homeless on Christmas Day is an annual program of Temple Israel of Hollywood, which will be held at First United Methodist Church, 6817 Franklin Ave., Hollywood. Last year, more than 100 synagogue volunteers distributed toys, clothing and toiletries. They also prepared and served a turkey dinner to 700 people. Those wishing to volunteer their time on Dec. 25 or to donate toys or other items may phone (213) 654-7475 or (213) 662-7926.

HONORS

* Sixty-five children from various parishes in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles will travel to the Vatican to represent the United States at the International Congress of Pueri Cantores. Patrick Flahive, music director of St. Denis Catholic Church in Diamond Bar, will direct the choir, known as the Little Singers of Our Lady Queen of Angels.

On New Year’s Day, Pope John Paul II will deliver a special message to the children at a Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica.

SOLSTICE

* The ancient tradition of welcoming the return of the light will be the focus of a winter solstice ceremony and storytelling at 7:30 p.m. Sunday sponsored by the nondenominational Healing Light Center Church. Sue Hildreth, Diane MacInnes, Lynn Velling and the Rev. Chris Faulconer will preside over the chanting, dancing and storytelling at the Unitarian Neighborhood Church, 301 N. Orange Grove Blvd., Pasadena. (818) 306-2170.

SNOW

* Twenty tons of snow will be hauled to the Westside Jewish Community Center to create a Winter Wonderland for children from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. Open to the public, admission is $5, $4 for adults accompanying a child. Dress warmly. No snow equipment other than plastic saucers will be allowed. No parking will be available at the center; validated parking will be available at Midway Hospital. The event will be canceled in case of rain. 5870 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles. (213) 938-2531.