“The Light of Hope Returning,” a free and open to the public American folk oratorio by local composer Shawn Kirchner, returns to the La Verne Church of the Brethren, 2425 E St., at 4 p.m. Sunday, December 18 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 21.

This year’s concerts will be performed by the La Verne Church of the Brethren Sanctuary Choir, along with accomplished area musicians such as saxophonist Tom Luer, Los Angeles Master Chorale soloist Cynthia Marty, and Los Angeles Philharmonic violinist Vijay Gupta. Sanctuary choir director Niké St. Clair will conduct.

The shows combine traditional and new holiday carols with poetry from novelist Susan Cooper. Two large screens in the church’s sanctuary will display works by Syrian-born artist Kevork Mourad during the concert.

Call (909) 593-1364 for more info.