Crescenta Valley Community Church Gets the Party Started

hosted a "Summer Nights" concert on Sunday evening celebrating vacation and summer fun.  People came from near and far to listen to dynamic performances of songs that ranged from U2’s Beautiful Day to a charming rendition of the Animaniacs Be Careful What You Eat.

With Christian songs like Phil Wickham’s Divine Romance and Hillsong’s Mighty to Save interspersed between classic favorites like Chuck Berry’s Fun, Fun, Fun and Train’s Hey Soul Sister, CVCC's worship band pulled out all the stops and provided energetic performances with top-notch vocals.  

Audience members sang along and clapped enthusiastically as the band rocked the stage with guitars, keyboards, vocals, and even a mandolin. The concert ended with the upbeat classic Knock on Wood that played while the audience batted brightly-colored beach balls around the auditorium.

In keeping with the summer theme, the stage was set with a variety of colorful beach props such as surfboards, flotation rings and beach balls that added to the festive atmosphere of the event.  

After the music ended, everyone gathered outside on the nearby patio to enjoy the evening with summer favorites such as fruit skewers, watermelon, and homemade marshmallow rice treats. Children played in the parking lot and adults stood together in groups chatting and laughing.

Jeff Turley, a friend of one of the performers, enjoyed the concert, saying that “it was exciting to hear all the songs.”

Masi Esquivel came all the way from Granada Hills for the concert. Although she did not know what to expect at this event, she said, “I love music. Anywhere there is music, I will be. I enjoyed it.”  

When asked about his favorite part of the evening, Esquivel’s young son, Judah, took his rice treat out of his mouth long enough to smile and say “Mighty to Save,” referring to one of the worship songs that had brought the attendants to their feet.

Petri Nauha, a member of the band explained that the church hosted this concert because they “want to be a part of the community” and they want people to know that their church is “a place where you can be safe and find freedom.” 

Kathe Wood, the co-pastor of CVCC and the director of the event, was happy with the outcome of the evening, and her goal is to make this type of concert a regular event in the La Crescenta community. With an evening full of fun music, beach-theme decorations, and favorite foods all dedicated to celebrating summer fun and community, the Summer Nights Concert had the all the ingredients for a truly lovely summer night.   

The community at Crescenta Valley Community Church welcomes members of the La Crescenta and surrounding communities to join them at any of their classes, events, or services. Sunday morning services occur weekly at 9:30 and 11:15 am and information about their other events can be found on their website at http://www.cvchurch.com/.