BISHOP ELEVATED: Pope John Paul II has...

BISHOP ELEVATED: Pope John Paul II has named Bishop John A. Elya of North Hollywood to head the U.S. diocese for Melkite Eastern Rite Catholics.

Elya, 65, who had been serving as western regional bishop for the Newton, Mass.-based diocese since 1986 and lives at St. Anne’s Melkite Church in North Hollywood, will succeed Archbishop Ignatius B. Ghattas, 71, who died last year.

The Lebanese-born Elya, who has taught at a monastery in Lebanon and at a seminary in Massachusetts as well as serving as a pastor, will be installed Jan. 25 as the spiritual leader of about 23,000 Melkite Catholics.

Eastern Rite churches are under the jurisdiction of the Pope but follow their own historic liturgical rites.

VIVALDI’S “GLORIA”: The Cathedral Choir and Orchestra of the First United Methodist Church of Glendale will present Antonio Vivaldi’s “Gloria” at 10:30 a.m. Sunday.

The choir is under the direction of Lynn Bielefelt and is accompanied by organist Ladd Thomas. The church is at the corner of Broadway and Kenwood Street in downtown Glendale. There is no charge.

CHRISTMAS SING-ALONG: An “old-fashioned Christmas sing-along” at Panorama Presbyterian Church, led by the Santa Clarita Valley Concert Band, will take place 5 p.m. Sunday at the church, 14201 Roscoe Blvd., Panorama City. A non-alcoholic version of wassail, the Christmas holiday drink, will be served. For more information, call (818) 894-8316.

GOSPEL MASS: The choir from Los Angeles’ Transfiguration Catholic Church will be featured during a 5 p.m. Gospel Mass today at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Palmdale.

Father Fisher Robinson, director of the archdiocese’s African American office, will be the principal celebrant of the Mass. Composer Oscar Pratt, music director for the archdiocese, will direct the music. St. Mary’s church is at 1600 E. Avenue R-4.

CHRISTMAS MUSICAL: “The Glory of the Lord,” a Christmas musical, will be presented at 7 p.m. today and 2 p.m. Sunday by St. Paul’s First Lutheran Church, 5244 Tujunga Ave., North Hollywood. For information, call (818) 761-1846.

CANTORS CONCERT: Cantor Laurie Rimland-Bonn, the present hazzan , or cantor, for Burbank Temple Emanu El, and several of her predecessors will present a fund-raising concert 7 p.m. Sunday in the Conservative synagogue at 1302 N. Glenoaks Blvd.

Tickets to the concert are $20 general admission, $10 for students and seniors, with higher amounts for those wanting to be listed as sponsors or patrons. Call (818) 845-1734 for more information.