BLUE CHRISTMAS; SERVICES TO OFFER HOPE TO THOSE COPING WITH MELANCHOLY HOLIDAY.

Byline: Holly J. Andres Daily News Staff Writer

Children's pageants. Living Nativity performances. Christmas concerts. All are designed to promote the Christmas spirit, to get people in the mood.

But what if you're not in the holiday mood? Maybe you've lost a loved one this year and this will be the first Christmas without them. Maybe you've been laid off. Or maybe you feel like you've let your family down because you weren't able to find the latest talking toy or those icicle lights to put on your house.

These are the kinds of feelings that the Blue Christmas service at St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church will address on Monday.

``This time of year can be a painful time for some people. The refrain on the TV and the music in the stores reminds people of what kind of mood they should be in. But it really is reminding some of us of our losses or broken relationships,'' said the Rev. Ronald Culmer.

Culmer heard about the Blue Christmas service from a Methodist friend. While St. Martin's Church offers the traditional before-Christmas living Nativity performances and Christmas Eve services, Culmer decided to also offer an alternative to reach out to those who are experiencing conflicting emotions during this season.

This nondenominational service, also known as the ``Longest Night'' service because it is presented on the winter solstice, is being held for the first time at St. Martin's.

``People have the feeling that they are supposed to be happy at this time of year. Feelings of loss get amplified now. This service gives a space to acknowledge the sadness in our lives and also to realize that we're not alone with these feelings. This service is about hope,'' Culmer said.

Florence Krejci's mother, Florence Fisher, died last May. She knows firsthand the feeling of loss this year.

``Even though my mother lived a long life - she was 96-1/2 when she died - I still miss her. I found myself looking for Christmas presents for her,'' said Krejci, who will be one of two lay readers at the special service.

``When I read the description of this service, I knew I wanted to participate. The idea of this type of service brought up some issues for me. I think it's a really neat thing to be doing,'' she said.

The service will consist of a series of stories, with Culmer giving short commentaries after each reading. Congregational singing and a short meditation will be part of the one-hour evening meeting. Toward the end of the service, Culmer will offer a prayer for ``going forth with hope.'' He will then invite everyone assembled to light a candle in memory of a loved one.

``When people leave this service, my wish is that they know hope is there. God is there in the midst of their personal darkness. We will remember the hurt, but they can have the hope of God. God can bring the light. God is calling them to life and life abundant,'' Culmer said.

Blue Christmas service, 7:30 p.m. Monday. Living Nativity performances, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. today and Sunday. Christmas Eve services 5:30 and 10:30 p.m. Christmas Day service, 10 a.m. St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church, 7136 Winnetka Ave., Canoga Park. Call [phone].

CHRISTMAS EVENTS

St. John's in the Valley United Methodist Church, 20600 Roscoe Blvd., Winnetka. An outdoor program depicting the birth of Jesus, ``Journey to Bethlehem,'' will be presented at 6:30, 7:15 and 8 p.m. today. Call [phone].

St. Cyril of Jerusalem Catholic Church, 15520 Ventura Blvd., Encino. The St. Cyril's Choir and the church's new pipe organ will be heard at a service of lessons and carols at 4 p.m. Sunday. Call [phone].

First Baptist Church of Reseda, 18644 Sherman Way, Reseda. A candlelight Christmas service with music from around the world, 6 p.m. Sunday. Call [phone].

Glendale Adventist Medical Center, Main Auditorium, 1509 Wilson Terrace, Glendale. The Rev. Alice Zulli will lead a holiday gathering of remembrance to help grieving families through the holiday season, 6 to 8 p.m. Monday. Call [phone].

Santa Clarita Science of Mind Center, 26111 Bouquet Canyon Road, Saugus. A Christmas candlelight service, 7 p.m. Tuesday. Call [phone].

Center for Highly Effective Living, Church of Religious Science, meeting at the Pacific Boy's Lodge, 4900 Serrania Ave., Woodland Hills. The Rev. Tom Johnson will deliver the message ``Our True Purpose'' at a candlelight service at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Call [phone].

St. Luke's of the Mountains, 2563 Foothill Blvd., La Crescenta. A family Christmas Eve service, 5 p.m.; candlelight carol singing at 10:30 p.m. Call [phone].

Community Christian Church of Moorpark, 216 Moorpark Ave., Moorpark. Christmas Eve services include a children's musical, carols and Communion, 5 p.m.; choir, scripture reading and Communion, 7 p.m. Call [phone].

Conejo Valley Congregational Church, 750 Erbes Road, Thousand Oaks. The Rev. Dave Clack will deliver the sermon ``Making a Difference: Lost and Found'' at the 6 and 8 p.m. Christmas Eve services. Call [phone].

Canoga Park Presbyterian Church, 22103 Vanowen St., Canoga Park. Christmas Eve candlelight family service, 5:30 p.m.; candlelight service and communion, 11 p.m. Call [phone].

St. Stephen Presbyterian Church, 20121 Devonshire St., Chatsworth. Three Christmas Eve services with traditional Christmas music, 5:30, 7 and 11 p.m. Interpreter for the deaf at the 5:30 and 7 p.m. services. Communion at 11 p.m. Call [phone].

Glendale Church of Religious Science, 2146 E. Chevy Chase Drive, Glendale. Inspirational pageant and music, 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Call [phone].

Church of Religious Science, 6161 Whitsett Ave., North Hollywood. Candlelight services with spiritual readings and carols, 7 and 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Call [phone].

Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, 7500 De Soto Ave., Canoga Park. A Christmas Eve family service, 7 p.m.; candlelight service with ``A Christmas Cantata'' sung by the choir, 11 p.m. Call [phone].

St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 5619 Lindley Ave., Tarzana. Two Christmas Eve services, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Call [phone].

St. Mark's Presbyterian Church, 17251 Sherman Way, Van Nuys. The Rev. Darrel D. Meyers will deliver the message ``Joy for All the People'' at the 7:30 p.m. Christmas Eve service. Call [phone].

Church of the Lighted Window, 1200 Foothill Blvd., La Canada. A family Christmas Eve candlelight service, 7:30 p.m.; congregational carol singing, Scripture readings at a candlelight 11 p.m. service. Call [phone].

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 9440 Balboa Blvd., Northridge. The Rev. Robert Varblow will deliver the sermon ``Arise, Shine, Thy Light has Come,'' at the 8 p.m. Christmas Eve service. Call [phone].

Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 3300 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. Inspirational world music will highlight two Christmas Eve services, 8:30 and 11 p.m. Call [phone].

Metropolitan Community Church of Los Angeles, 8714 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood. The Rev. Mel White will deliver a Christmas Eve message ``When Will Jesus Come Again?'' at a 10:30 p.m. Candlelight service. Call [phone].

Adat Y'shua Ha Adon, 5700 Rudnick Ave., Woodland Hills. The Messianic Jewish congregation will present a ``Messiahmas'' celebration, 7:45 p.m. Friday. Call [phone].

CAPTION(S):

Photo, Box

PHOTO The Rev. Ronald Culmer embraces the students and teachers at St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church.

Tina Gerson/Daily News

BOX: CHRISTMAS EVENTS (see text)