Believers

Fr. Hovsep Hagopian of the Armenian Apostolic Church will deliver the sermon on the fourth week of Lent, which denotes the Sunday of the Unrighteous Steward, at the 10:30 a.m. worship service on March 19. The congregation meets at the Lanterman Auditorium, 4491 Cornishon Ave., La Cañada. The Sunday of the Unrighteous Steward is a parable, where Jesus tells about a wealthy man who had a steward who managed his properties, according to Fr. Hagopian. The parable shows what attitude believers should have toward money, and encourages the believer to be wise and productive in God's service.

“2012” was at the top of the box office last week. The movie’s plot revolves around the end of the world, supposedly predicted by the end of the Mayan calendar, which expires on Dec. 21, 2012. The movie is described as “An epic adventure about a global cataclysm that brings an end to the world and tells of the heroic struggle of the survivors.” The supposed end of the world in 2012 continues to be a hot topic by believers and non believers alike. Does your faith reveal anything specific about the end of the world or how it might look like?

Things you have to believe to be a Republican today: A president lying about an extramarital affair is an impeachable offense, but a president lying to enlist support for a war in which thousands die is solid defense policy; Providing health care to all Iraqis is sound policy, but providing health care to all Americans is socialism; The best way to improve military morale is to praise the troops in speeches while slashing veterans' benefits...

"As Much as We Can Believe" will be the sermon topic of Rev. Beverly Craig at the 10 a.m. service on Jan. 8 at La Crescenta Church of Religious Science, 4845 Dunsmore Ave. Church school is offered for young people ages 4 through teens at 10 a.m. Child care is provided. There is an ongoing Abraham Study Group offered on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. in Chaffee Hall. The class focus us on the Universal Law of Attraction and the deliberate creating of one's destiny. "Practical Mysticism" is offered at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays and facilitated by Rev. Craig.

I was sitting in the audience at the La Cañada school board meeting on Aug. 2 and I could not believe what I heard! The school board members were given an opportunity to settle the on-going negotiations with the teacher's association and they boldly and unanimously chose to use the money to pay off the 20-year lease they have with the city for the sewer system at one of the elementary schools. The school board has been in negotiations with the teachers for more than 18 months.

The Pasadena POPS Orchestra - utilizing dancers, magicians and a dazzling light show to complement its own melodious musings - presents a musical portrait of classic children's tales in twin concerts July 15 and 16 at Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive in La Cañada. Featuring the vocals of international cabaret star Anna Bergman, "Fairy Tales Can Come True" explores the fantasy realm of enduring tales from everyone's childhood, bringing to life music from "Sleeping Beauty," "Cinderella," "Pinocchio," "Peter Pan," "The Wizard of Oz" and others.

A generous sprinkling of pixie dust, special live appearances at each show by Tinker Bell, and an opening night extravaganza is in store for moviegoers as Walt Disney's animated classic "Peter Pan" makes its big screen digital debut at Hollywood's El Capitan Theatre Feb. 1-15. This special two-week engagement, which heralds the March 6 arrival of an all-new 2-disc Platinum Edition DVD, will feature a newly restored digital version of the film with enhanced picture and sound. Veteran Disney producer Don Hahn ("The Lion King," "Beauty and the Beast")

Since the first week of March, a film crew and psychics have been investigating the long- unsolved murder of La Cañada residents Harold ?Skip? and Joni Tillman. Using traditional and psychic medium methods, the team traveled from the couple?s home in La Cañada to where their bodies were found in shallow graves in Yucaipa on Feb. 9, 2000. The team poured over records, interviewed friends and family, and used the psychics? skills to navigate through the spirit world. And, in the end, they think they just might have solved the case that has been cold for more than nine years.

In appreciation for their support and generosity, donors were invited to attend Hillsides' annual Benefit Sponsor Recognition Reception on Jan. 24 at the Pasadena Museum of California Art (PMCA). Guests were greeted by San Marino resident Debbe Booth, Hillsides' benefit chair, along with Wesley P. Jessup and Jenkins Shannon of PMCA. "We are so happy to welcome so many of our sponsors to this beautiful new jewel in Pasadena's crown," said Booth, of the museum. "Most importantly, I want to thank you for helping Hillsides provide a safe place for kids to grow up. Thank you for believing in magic with us."

Ronni Abergel, a Danish antiviolence campaigner, has begun what is being called the Living Library. Already in 12 countries, patrons "borrow" people who represent stereotypes that often are the target of prejudice or hatred. Examples of these would be a Muslim, an immigrant, a transgender individual, a witch or an atheist, as was the case in an east London library. What do you think about the Living Library? Do you think it would work in the United States and, to some extent, our local communities?

So-called miracles and apparitions seem to be a dime a dozen, popping up all over the world in some way, shape or form — from the appearance of the Virgin of Guadalupe on a grilled cheese sandwich, to an appearance of Jesus Christ on an oil stain on a garage floor. A movie was even made about it in 2008, "Henry Poole Is Here," starring Luke Wilson, that focused on the protagonist's acceptance that miracles may just be possible — in the form of a stain shaped like Jesus on the side of his garage.

Panera Bread opened its new La Cañada Flintridge store Tuesday, drawing hungry patrons eager to sample menu items that include a Fuji apple chicken salad and a turkey artichoke sandwich. The bakery and cafe is the latest addition to the Town Center, at the northeast corner of Foothill Boulevard and Angeles Crest Highway, home to the Sport Chalet headquarters and several other retailers and eateries. "We have been really anxious to get it open," store manager Layla Tabata said.

Most scripture promotes our careful stewardship of the Earth. And yet, apocalyptic religious traditions welcome signs of the "end times" (environmental degradation, war, oil spills, etc.), considering it the fulfillment of long-awaited prophecy and the beginning of a new age of peace. What's the role of free will in the face of such prophecy? Should we celebrate these "signs" or try to do something to minimize the violence and destruction? If action is called for, how should we rally together to battle our "compassion fatigue" and heal the world's wounds?

The "I'm spiritual but not religious" community is growing, according to a blog post by CNN writer John Blake. It is growing so much, the blogger writes, one pastor has compared it to a "movement." In a 2009 survey by the research firm LifeWay Christian Resources, 72% of people 18 to 29 consider themselves "more spiritual than religious." Some say the phrase hints at egotism: "If it's just you and God in your room, and a religious community makes no demands on you, why help the poor?"

Christian organizations in the United Kingdom are pushing for candidates to become more open about their religious beliefs, according to an article published by the BBC this week. With an election coming up May 6, would it be worthwhile for candidates to open up about their beliefs “if it means a few more votes?” the article asks. While religion plays a big role in the funding and organization of politics in the U.S., the article says, in the U.K. it is less influential; as such, some believe that having candidates talk about their religious beliefs publicly would turn around British politics — “doing God” would not be such a rarity anymore within the political spectrum of the U.K. What do you think?

I thought it strange that Klaus Giannini was an atheist. He was Italian, and all Italians were Catholics. Klaus was enrolled at DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx, but I doubt he ever went. He was a tough kid who just didn?t give a damn. We knew each other from the streets, but we weren?t friends; Klaus had no friends. His father was a brute and threatened everyone. There was no rationale in his anger; he was just angry. He would beat his son with an iron, and Klaus carried the bruises that proved our suspicions.