A photo of.a group performing during University Lutheran Church's 2023 concert series. (Courtesy of University Lutheran Church)

University Lutheran Church to Host Community Concerts

For the third year in a row, University Lutheran Church at 1020 S. Harrison Road will host a series of outside community concerts this August.

Janine Novenske Smith, director of worship and the arts at the church, spoke with ELi about the series and the intent behind it.

“You know,” she said, “when we were coming out of the pandemic, we were looking for ways to bring people back together again.  Everybody loves a concert; sitting outside under the stars on a beautiful summer evening. And it’s an opportunity to enjoy wonderful music [from] a diversity of styles, genres, and performers.

“The series is just a blessing in a lot of ways.”

A shot of the crowd at a University Lutheran concert last year. The concert series will be held the first three Sundays of August this year. (Courtesy photo)

Smith has been a member of the University Lutheran congregation for 29 years, beginning when she was an undergraduate student at Michigan State University.  She and the church’s pianist, John Dale Smith, produce the concerts and choose the performers.

Several returning acts comprise the entertainment for the three week series.

The Kathy Ford Band of Okemos takes the stage Sunday, August 4. According to a website for the band, the ensemble earned the “Best of the Best” moniker from Lansing State Journal each year for more than a decade straight and focuses on country and top 100 music.

The following week will feature the stylings of the returning Lansing Community College Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Jonathon Gewirtz. Performers include both college and high school students with both jazz and big band selections.

The final concert of the series on Sunday, August 18 highlights a return performance from Three Men and a Tenor.  The legendary quartet has appeared on their own nationwide PBS special and been featured on a tour of U.S. military bases.

All concerts begin at 6 p.m. and are free to attend.  Donations may be made to the church and will be split between Haven House of East Lansing and next year’s concert series.

“People should feel free to bring lawn chairs or blankets to lay out on our north lawn,” Smith said.  “We have a beautiful space located between University Lutheran and our next door neighbors at the Islamic Center.  We have ample parking, including parking spaces set aside for those who have mobility challenges, so no need to worry about that.”

If the weather doesn’t cooperate, concerts will move indoors. There will also be popcorn and ice cream from Quality Dairy available at the shows.

The University Lutheran congregation originated more than 75 years ago, meeting in an East Lansing movie theatre in its early days.  In February, the church welcomed new ministers from North Dakota, Emily and Zachariah Shipman as senior pastor and associate pastor, respectively.